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 sale occurred on the same day as right-wing political activist and media personality Charlie Kirk’s assassination, a moment that cast a chill over political speech in corporate media. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Ukraine for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. —CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

After Kirk’s assassination on a college campus in Utah, the vice president flew out on Air Force Two to collect Kirk’s remains and bring them home to Arizona. —Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025

The shocking assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah university campus in September sparked a firestorm of extreme rhetoric and recriminations. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 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