casting aspersions
Spreading damaging rumors
Casting aspersions is making vague or indirect attacks on someone's character or reputation.
The phrase suggests scattering doubt or suspicion rather than making direct accusations: He cast aspersions on her motives without offering any evidence.
Aspersions almost never appears outside this expression.
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- smearSpread or defame
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
denigration · maligning · traducing · besmirching · tarnishing · impugning · blackening · sullying
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
innuendo · talebearing · scuttlebutt · whisper campaign · loose talk · idle talk · grapevine · spreading rumors
Criticism meant to diminish
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
faultfinding · deprecation · denigration · belittling · derision · scorn · contempt · disapproval
Sense of unease about motives
- mistrustLack of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
wariness · misgivings · incredulity · cynicism · disbelief · leery · second-guessing · insinuation
slander
Spoken false defamation
vilification · denigration · maligning · traducing · besmirching · tarnishing · impugning · blackening · sullying · mudslinging
rumormongering
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
hearsay · innuendo · talebearing · scuttlebutt · whisper campaign · loose talk · idle talk · grapevine · spreading rumors
disparagement
Criticism meant to diminish
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- reproachExpression of disappointment
condemnation · faultfinding · deprecation · denigration · belittling · derision · scorn · contempt · disapproval · rebuke
suspicion
Sense of unease about motives
- mistrustLack of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
questioning · wariness · misgivings · incredulity · cynicism · disbelief · leery · second-guessing · insinuation · innuendo
casting aspersionspraising
Voicing admiration
defending · lauding · extolling · glorifying · paying tribute
casting aspersionscommending
Expressing approval or admiration
complimenting · flattering · endorsing · recommending · acclaiming
casting aspersionsdefending
Protecting against harm
vindicating · vouching for · standing up for · exonerating · rehabilitating
casts, caster, casters, casting, castings, recast, recasting, miscast, miscasting