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

Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs took on a stunning amount of hate for attending the memorial service of his close friend, Charlie Kirk, following his assassination. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

In the weeks before Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the alcoholic, frustrated cabaret singer/force of nature that is Mary Todd Lincoln deals with secret yearnings, as does her husband. —Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

Today, not so much, as this once ultimate inflection point has been smashed to pieces by elements of the progressive left in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination. —Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026

More than six weeks after he was announced as their new supreme leader following the assassination of his father, Iranians have still not seen or heard Mojtaba Khamenei. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 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