assassinate

[uh-sas-uh-neyt]

verb (used with object)

assassinated, assassinating 

1. to kill suddenly or secretively, especially a prominent person; murder premeditatedly and treacherously.

   Synonyms: slay

2. to destroy or harm treacherously and viciously.

   to assassinate a person's character.

assassinate

/ əˈsæsɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to murder (a person, esp a public or political figure), usually by a surprise attack

2. to ruin or harm (a person's reputation, etc) by slander

Other Word Forms

• assassination noun
• assassinative adjective
• assassinator noun
• unassassinated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assassinate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; assassin + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

In that same period, two of the nation's most prominent civil rights leaders were assassinated too.

From BBC

The episode comes amid a string nationwide of employees being fired or suspended after being accused of publicly applauding the death of Kirk, who was assassinated last week at a Utah college campus.

From Los Angeles Times

Cain, who left a dozen roses at his alma mater, worries that his hometown will be forever known as the place where Kirk was assassinated.

From Los Angeles Times

Police later discovered that a plan to assassinate Lula and Moraes had been printed by one of the president's aides inside the presidential palace.

From BBC

They also said that Bolsonaro knew of a plan to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, as well as a Supreme Court Justice.

From BBC

Related Words

• execute 
• gun down www.thesaurus.com
• kill 
• slaughter 
• slay