assassination

[uh-sas-uh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. the premeditated act of killing someone suddenly or secretively, especially a prominent person.

   The meticulous way in which the journalist's assassination was carried out has led to suspicions that his killers were professionals working for state security.

2. the act of destroying or harming treacherously and viciously.

   They went after me with everything they had, engaging in character assassination and in destroying my reputation—a complete fabrication and frame-up.

Other Word Forms

• counterassassination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assassination¹

assassin(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

This follows other politically motivated killings, including the June assassination of Democratic Minnesota state Rep. and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.

From Salon

“For far too long, we’ve watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence. That era is over,” she said.

From Salon

The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk is still reverberating across America.

From Salon

Gutfeld cursed on air, demeaned the loss of life from another assassination earlier this year and cited information that was incorrect to back his tirade.

From Los Angeles Times

They appear to be using Kirk’s assassination as a pretext for a more restrictive autocratic crackdown on their political opponents and the media.

From Salon

Related Words

• bloodshed 
• crime 
• destruction 
• felony 
• homicide 
• lynching www.thesaurus.com
• manslaughter 
• massacre 
• shooting www.thesaurus.com
• slaying www.thesaurus.com
• terrorism