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 Words From

• coun·ter·as·sas·si·na·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assassination¹

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

Example Sentences

McCoy, citing Trump’s ability to weather indictments, setbacks and assassination attempts, called his election a “miracle.”

From Los Angeles Times

Canada’s former justice minister has confirmed to the BBC he was the target of a recent Iranian assassination attempt that was foiled.

From BBC

“Weaving” through an imagined assassination scenario, Trump explained that political violence sometimes has an unexpected upside: “To get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news, and I don’t mind that so much.”

From Salon

In the months leading up to the US presidential election, Trump was the target of two apparent assassination attempts.

From BBC

Federal agents, including undercover operatives, were in the ballroom during the assassination and took no steps to intervene, the lawsuit alleges.

From BBC

Related Words

• bloodshed
• crime
• destruction
• felony
• homicide
• lynching
• manslaughter
• massacre
• shooting
• slaying
• terrorism