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

And poking fun at him — especially after his assassination — is a line even the White House cannot cross. —Ryan Broderick, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025

Former homeland security advisor for New York state Michael Balboni told Fox News Digital that assassinations have risen over the past decade and the targets are no longer limited to politicians. —Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025

She was once cast as a secular heroine, the daughter of a revolutionary leader, whose brutal assassination in the 1970s defined her political ascent. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025

Influencer Laura Loomer predicted Mamdani would encourage Muslims to commit political assassinations to acquire power and silence critics. —David Bauder, Fortune, 19 Nov. 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