Synonyms for asperse
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To falsely or maliciously charge someone.
Related words
- Word family
- aspersion
Forms
- Past participle
- aspersed
e.g. aspersed → defamed, calumniated, smeared, tarnished…
Example sentences
- smear Will I be tested for chlamydia during my smear test?
- tarnish Sami was trying to tarnish Layla's reputation.
- defame Sami didn't want to defame anyone.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| asperse | falling | |
| smear | rising | |
| tarnish | steady | |
| defame | steady | |
| calumniate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- spot1, foul1, slur1
- 5 letters
- smear1, libel2, sully2
- 6 letters
- malign2, defame2, vilify3, revile2
- 7 letters
- detract2, tarnish2, blacken2, traduce
- 8 letters
- disgrace2, sprinkle2, besmirch
- 9 letters
- discredit3, denigrate3
- 10 letters
- calumniate
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (libel2 = 2 syllables).