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

Yousafzai, a celebrated education activist and the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt as a teen, says the project's name was born from their desire to reimagine school recess time for girls. —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025

The assassination of Charlie Kirk last month and an attack on a Dallas ICE facility have triggered anxiety from conservatives about rising political violence. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025

Hérard, the former head of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, Hérard is among more than 40 people accused in the July 7, 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions. —John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 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