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

Legal experts have warned that the change may violate a congressional stipulation enacted after Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

In the coming years, his life would be shaken by arsonists and assassinations, and dramatically shifting public views about Arabs. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

German police believe a cache of firearms discovered in a Berlin forest last year was intended for use by Russian intelligence in assassination plots, German media reported. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2026

But the department sought in its filings to place the post against the backdrop of assassination plots or attempts against Trump in the months before and after Comey’s post. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 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