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 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 Cast out from the intelligence world, Brad decides to go freelance and try to collect a $15 million bounty on the assassin. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Disgraced and outcast from the world of intelligence, all bets are off when Brad decides to go after the $15 million federal bounty on the assassin’s head. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assassin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assassin
  1. murderer
  2. killer
Noun
  • In June 2021, a camera helped locate a murderer, Joseph Jean, 56, who sped off after stabbing a 38-year-old woman on a sidewalk in Fort Lauderdale, the agency said.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Austin Metcalf's father is speaking out for the first time after a judge denied denied his son's murderer -- Karmelo Anthony -- a request for a new trial for the fatal stabbing at a Texas high school track meet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on assassin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assassin

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