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
Highlighting this is likely the key reason why Zelensky suggested a personal meeting with Putin, who, according to Ukrainian and Western intelligence services, had previously ordered his assassination.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
After King’s assassination, the motel struggled, closed, then reemerged in 1991 as the National Civil Rights Museum, now widely praised.
—Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
An uneasy coexistence between the government and Hezbollah emerged, which often spilled over into violence, including assassinations of important public figures.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
The agency has devoted itself to rooting out prejudice in the housing market since the Fair Housing Act was signed into law in 1968, one week after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
—Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassination
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Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
After King’s assassination, the motel struggled, closed, then reemerged in 1991 as the National Civil Rights Museum, now widely praised.
—Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
An uneasy coexistence between the government and Hezbollah emerged, which often spilled over into violence, including assassinations of important public figures.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
The agency has devoted itself to rooting out prejudice in the housing market since the Fair Housing Act was signed into law in 1968, one week after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
—Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 15 May 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 22 May. 2025.
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