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

In 1998, Ray died at the age of 70 while serving a 99-year sentence for King’s assassination. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026

The president even spoke up in defense of the Saudi Crown Prince when he was questioned about the October 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

He's interrogated by FBI Agent James Hosty (Gil Bellows), a real-life figure who investigated Oswald prior to Kennedy's assassination. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026

But supporters say the expansion would address escalating instances of campus violence, including the assassination in Utah of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 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