casts aspersions on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "casts aspersions on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is making derogatory or damaging remarks about someone or something. Example: "The article casts aspersions on the integrity of the politician without providing any evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Moving on to Eva Braun's former lodgings, a few streets away, the one-time photographer of Vogue's "Choice of the Month" casts aspersions on the décor, castigating Hitler's girlfriend for her department-store taste.

The Guardian - Arts

The use of "nationalism" in this context casts aspersions on a much-maligned and perfectly laudable term.

The Economist

Sometimes his own mother casts aspersions on him for presuming to tell New Yorkers, not known as an obsequious bunch, how much it's going to cost to continue to occupy their (rental) castles.

The New York Times

It's one thing to sign a petition protesting an article that suggested a rape allegation had been a hoax, but when a friend of the Daily News columnist Mike McAlary casts aspersions on his motives as a journalist, McAlary grabs him by the lapels.

The New York Times

The Apocolocyntosis ridicules his physical appearance and his speaking ability and casts aspersions on his abilities as a judge, depicting him as arbitrary of giving legal judgments without a fair hearing and of summarily ordering the executions of relatives, senators, and knights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"With very few exceptions, the famous are no longer interesting .This week the limelight has turned on Mr Freud, for an interview he has given to Vanity Fair magazine in which he casts aspersions on the attitude of his prospective father-in-law, Rupert Murdoch, to women.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And then he has the audacity to cast aspersions on the ones who caught him.

Huffington Post

She added: "No one is casting aspersions on Sally's son.

The Guardian

One recent TripAdvisor review of the agrotourism destination Schrute Farms awarded four stars, lavishly praising the food, while another yielded just one star, casting aspersions on the owners' sanity.

The New York Times

But cocaine users are like hipsters in the way they will vehemently deny they are one, and cast aspersions on others.

The Guardian

To cast aspersions on a bewitched girl, to visit one's imprisoned spouse too regularly, was to risk accusation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "casts aspersions on", ensure you have a clear understanding of the context and implications. This phrase suggests a deliberate attempt to damage someone's reputation, so use it when that intent is present.

Common error

Avoid using "casts aspersions on" for mild or unintentional criticism. This phrase carries a strong connotation of malice and deliberate defamation, so use it sparingly and only when the context warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casts aspersions on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making damaging or derogatory statements about someone or something. Ludwig AI highlights this usage across various news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "casts aspersions on" is a powerful idiom used to describe the act of making damaging or derogatory remarks, often with the intent to harm someone's reputation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. While it is often used in neutral contexts, it implies a deliberate attempt to undermine credibility. When writing, it's crucial to understand the strength of this phrase and avoid using it for mild criticism. Alternatives like "slanders" or "denigrates" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. Ultimately, "casts aspersions on" is a valuable tool for expressing disapproval and highlighting potential reputational damage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slanders

Directly accuses someone of wrongdoing; more forceful and explicit.

defames

Damages the reputation of someone through false statements; implies legal ramifications.

denigrates

Puts down or belittles someone or something; focuses on diminishing value.

disparages

Speaks slightingly about someone or something; suggests a lack of respect.

vilifies

Speaks or writes about someone in an abusively disparaging manner; carries a strong negative charge.

maligns

Speaks harmful untruths about someone; suggests malicious intent.

impugns

Challenges or questions the integrity or truth of something; more formal and often used in legal or academic contexts.

criticizes unfairly

Highlights the unfair or unjustified nature of the criticism.

attacks the reputation of

Focuses on the damage to one's reputation; more descriptive and less direct.

makes insinuations against

Implies something negative without stating it directly; more subtle and indirect.

FAQs

How can I use "casts aspersions on" in a sentence?

The phrase "casts aspersions on" is used to indicate that someone is making derogatory or damaging remarks about someone or something. For example, "The article "casts aspersions on" the integrity of the politician without providing any evidence."

What are some alternatives to "casts aspersions on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "slanders", "defames", or "denigrates". Each alternative conveys a slightly different nuance of criticism or defamation.

Is it correct to say "cast aspersions to" instead of "casts aspersions on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "cast aspersions" is "on". The phrase is always "cast aspersions on" something or someone.

What is the difference between "criticizes" and "casts aspersions on"?

"Criticizes" is a general term for expressing disapproval, while ""casts aspersions on"" implies a more malicious and reputation-damaging form of criticism. Aspersions suggest a deliberate attempt to harm someone's image or standing.