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
The New York Times2
: treacherous destruction of a person's reputation
character assassination
Examples of assassination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the accords failed to resolve the Palestinian question, and opposition among some Egyptians would lead to Sadat's assassination in 1981.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Xipaia herself is at the front lines of the battle to preserve the Amazon, all while facing multiple assassination attempts, as well as impending motherhood.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
The choice was made to tell a story about Shaka’s rise to leader of the Zulu Kingdom and his eventual assassination, taking in the figures who would define his reign.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Mickelson has been a staunch celebrator of Kirk's life since the conservative activist's assassination in Utah last month.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassination
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Susan Page, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Xipaia herself is at the front lines of the battle to preserve the Amazon, all while facing multiple assassination attempts, as well as impending motherhood.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
The choice was made to tell a story about Shaka’s rise to leader of the Zulu Kingdom and his eventual assassination, taking in the figures who would define his reign.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Mickelson has been a staunch celebrator of Kirk's life since the conservative activist's assassination in Utah last month.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassination
Cite this Entry
“Assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assassination. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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