assassin

American  

[uh-sas-in] / əˈsæs ɪn /

noun

1. a murderer, especially one who kills a politically prominent person for fanatical or monetary reasons.

2. (initial capital letter) one of an order of Muslim fanatics, active in Persia and Syria from about 1090 to 1272, whose chief object was to assassinate Crusaders.

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Assassin ¹ British  

/ əˈsæsɪn /

noun

1. a member of a secret sect of Muslim fanatics operating in Persia and Syria from about 1090 to 1256, murdering their victims, usually Crusaders

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assassin ² British  

/ əˈsæsɪn /

noun

1. a murderer, esp one who kills a prominent political figure

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Etymology

Origin of assassin

1525–35; < Medieval Latin assassinī (plural) < Arabic ḥashshāshīn eaters of hashish

Example Sentences

The actor who played the East German assassin on Bond’s tail wasn’t so fortunate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

He called the shooting a "very sad situation" on Tuesday and refused to back Miller's "assassin" description -- while insisting that under-fire Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem would not step down.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Senior presidential adviser Stephen Miller called Pretti a "would-be assassin".

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026

Hence, he survived much longer than he should have by convincing his prey, including Zac Efron’s wide-eyed brother Dylan, that he’d be too obvious an assassin.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

In an intense but calm voice, the assassin confided to Augustus, as though trying to persuade him, the strangest thing: “I’m mad. I’m mad!”

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson