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assassin

noun

ə-ˈsa-sᵊn How to pronounce assassin (audio)
Definition of assassinnext
as in murderer
a person who kills another person shot down by an unknown assassin

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of assassin The would-be assassin in Butler positioned himself on a roof left unsecured, nicking the president’s ear with a bullet. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Making everyone a potential spy or assassin was only an expedient way to destroy institutions internally and externally through financial incentives. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Skirting bravely around the edges of space to seek solace, they’re hunted by the Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a deadly Alliance assassin on a mission who seeks to recapture her. — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 His reputation as the best interviewer-assassin at work today—maybe ever—precedes him. — Merve Emre, The New York Review of Books, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assassin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assassin
  1. murderer
  2. killer
Noun
  • This season focuses on a woman and alleged murderer who is ultimately never found guilty of any crime.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The concert featured both solo sets from Osbourne and a reunion of the original Sabbath lineup for the first time in more than two decades, along with a murderer’s row of performers influenced by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of murderer
Noun
  • The use of an ECG alone has detection levels of up to 85 per cent, but some studies suggest an even greater rate for what are known as ‘silent killers’, where the vast majority display no symptoms before cardiac arrest.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Shortly after Hollander was identified as the assumed killer, the rest of his car was searched and police started to suspect him in another murder case with similar details.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of killer

Browse Nearby Words

assails
assassin
assassinate
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Cite this Entry

“Assassin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assassin. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on assassin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assassin

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