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

Another constituent and her family fled to Delaware after a gang war broke out in Haiti following the assassination of President Jovene Moise in 2021. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Several years later, violent protests culminated in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Sharpton invoked Mississippi's history of racist violence during his eulogy, including the lynching of Emmett Till and assassination of Medgar Evers. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

The Jefferson sculpture is by the artist George Lundeen, who has also made a statue of Trump with his fist raised, in a gesture referencing an assassination attempt against the president during the 2024 presidential election. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026

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