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

Tennessee Department of Safety officials testified that the bill is modeled after other state laws aimed to provide appropriate guardrails to respond to things like assassination attempts or other violent threats. —Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

At one point, Trump pointed to a portrait depicting his assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, during the 2024 presidential campaign. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025

As the group lined up in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Trump pointed their attention to a large painting on the wall that depicts him on the day of his July 2024 assassination attempt. —Kyler Alvord, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025

King’s assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968, was a shock to the world. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025

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