assassinate

[ uh-sas-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• asˌsassiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• as·sas·si·na·tion [uh, -sas-, uh, -, ney, -sh, uh, n] noun
• as·sas·si·na·tive adjective
• as·sas·si·na·tor noun
• un·as·sas·si·nat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assassinate¹

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

Example Sentences

Israel was assassinating senior Hezbollah figures in the suburb, but it was using large, bunker-busting bombs, each capable of destroying a residential building.

From BBC

He was 14 when his father and namesake was assassinated in 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

The militant and political group had previously closely guarded access to the suburb, known as the Dahieh, particularly the place where Nasrallah was assassinated, which was entirely closed off.

From BBC

Last year, US intelligence services said they had discovered that Wagner allegedly orchestrated a plot to assassinate Déby but failed to carry it out.

From BBC

Two men, both now assassinated, designed Hezbollah to deter Israel not just from attacking Lebanon – but also from attacking Iran.

From BBC

Related Words

• execute
• gun down
• kill
• slaughter
• slay