assassination
noun
as·sas·si·na·tion
ə-ˌsa-sə-ˈnā-shən 
plural assassinations
1
: murder by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons : the act or an instance of assassinating someone (such as a prominent political leader)
the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
an assassination attempt
In medieval days, assassination by poisoning was common enough to alarm many a king, and protection was sought in the form of prayers, food tasters and science.—
The New York Times
The New York Times2
: treacherous destruction of a person's reputation
character assassination
Examples of assassination in a Sentence
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Al Qaeda had published a document that said Harry’s assassination would please Muslims, and he and his wife were involved in a dangerous pursuit by paparazzi in New York City.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Al-Qaida had published a document that said Harry’s assassination would please Muslims, and he and his wife were involved in a dangerous pursuit by paparazzi in New York.
—Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
There were no official medical records released after the president received minor injuries to his ear following the assassination attempt against him when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Prosecutors said Routh hoped to purchase the .50 caliber rifle at a gun show, but his contact was ultimately not able to locate the type of gun Routh wanted until after the assassination attempt at the golf course.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
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Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Al-Qaida had published a document that said Harry’s assassination would please Muslims, and he and his wife were involved in a dangerous pursuit by paparazzi in New York.
—Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
There were no official medical records released after the president received minor injuries to his ear following the assassination attempt against him when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Prosecutors said Routh hoped to purchase the .50 caliber rifle at a gun show, but his contact was ultimately not able to locate the type of gun Routh wanted until after the assassination attempt at the golf course.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassination
Cite this Entry
“Assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assassination. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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