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

Others, however, took issue with Kimmel’s comments immediately following Kirk’s assassination, and welcomed his show going off the air. —Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026

For them, the ICE walkouts are the most recent flare-up in an intensifying debate over expression in schools, leading to comparisons with the pro-Palestine protests on college campuses and investigations into teachers commenting on Charlie Kirk’s assassination. —Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

The young, charismatic civil rights activist and King protégé had been photographed on the balcony with his mentor the day before King's assassination. —John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 18 Feb. 2026

There are no images of Jackson in pictures taken shortly after the assassination. —Sophia Tareen, Fortune, 17 Feb. 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