asperse

/ə-ˈspərs/

Latin aspersus, past participle of aspergere, from ad- + spargere to scatter

verb

  1. sprinkle; especially : to sprinkle with holy water

  2. to attack with evil reports or false or injurious charges

malign traduce asperse vilify calumniate defame slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.