Crossword Genius

A slur and no praises, perhaps (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aspersion

'a slur' is the definition.
('aspersion' can be a synonym of 'slur')

'and no praises perhaps' is the wordplay.
'and' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and').
'no' becomes 'O' (O resembles 0).
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'n'+'o'+'praises'='nopraises'
'nopraises' with letters rearranged gives 'ASPERSION'.

(Other definitions for aspersion that I've seen before include "Slander" , "Attack on the character" , "No praises given to the act of defaming 99)" , "Cast this slur" , "Defamatory suggestion" .)

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