assassination

noun

as·​sas·​si·​na·​tion ə-ˌsa-sə-ˈnā-shən 

plural assassinations

1

: murder by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons : the act or an instance of assassinating someone (such as a prominent political leader)

the assassination of Abraham Lincoln

an assassination attempt

In medieval days, assassination by poisoning was common enough to alarm many a king, and protection was sought in the form of prayers, food tasters and science.

—The New York Times

2

: treacherous destruction of a person's reputation

character assassination

Examples of assassination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The play imagines what would happen if President Abraham Lincoln's assassination wasn't exactly a bad thing for his insufferable wife. —Nigel Smith, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Rabin’s assassination by a far-right fanatic in 1995 robbed Israel of its peacemaker leader. —Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025

The United States and 13 allied nations have issued a joint statement accusing Iran's intelligence services of carrying out assassination attempts, abductions, and harassment campaigns targeting individuals across Europe and North America. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025

Where to watch:Netflix 'The Phoenician Scheme' Wes Anderson's comedy stars Benicio del Toro as a famed arms dealer who, after one assassination attempt too many, makes his estranged nun daughter (Mia Threapleton) his sole heir. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assassination

• character assassination

Rhymes for assassination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration