hit list

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a list of persons singled out as targets for murder.

2. a list of people or programs to be acted against or disposed of.

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hit list British  

noun

1. a list of people to be murdered

   a terrorist hit list

2. a list of targets to be eliminated in some way

   a hit list of pits to be closed

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Etymology

Origin of hit list

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Next on the U.S. hit list is Delcy Rodríguez, Mr. Maduro’s second in command.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

For Molly 'Meatball' McCann, all the above is on her hit list.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2025

King said an investigation was ongoing, but “what we do know is that there was no evidence of a planned school shooting, or specific hit list or act of violence threatening a specific individual.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2023

Blackmon is second all-time on the Rockies’ career hit list behind Todd Helton, who finished with 2,519.

From Washington Times • Apr. 8, 2023

But right now, I needed to talk to Aech, to warn him that he was next on the Sixers’ hit list.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline