asperse

/əˈspɜrs/
verb
  1. To attack or criticize someone's reputation or character with false or damaging statements; to slander.
    • The article aspersed the entire community with baseless accusations.
    • It is unfair to asperse someone's motives without evidence.
    • The politician tried to asperse his opponent's character during the debate.
  2. To sprinkle or scatter something, especially water in a religious ritual.
    • In the ceremony, they aspersed the altar with rose water.
    • The gardener aspersed the seedlings with a fine mist.
    • The priest aspersed the congregation with holy water.
Antonyms
What does "asperse" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean