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

Players have one attack button, an assassination button and a parry system that players defend and gain an advantage. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 29 July 2026

The interviewer visibly panicked, and fans all over social media went bananas — jokes about Lacy’s impending assassination at the hands of Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige abounded. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

This was the rescheduled dinner after April’s event was stopped by an apparent assassination attempt on the president, as a gunman breached security and the sounds of gunfire sent the thousands of attendees at the Washington Hilton to the floor. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 July 2026

The annual event ended abruptly in April when a gunman rushed security in an assassination attempt against the president. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 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