assassination

noun

as·sas·si·na·tion ə-ˌsa-sə-ˈnā-shən

plural assassinations

: 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

: treacherous destruction of a person's reputation

character assassination

Examples of assassination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Republicans in July overcame qualms about Trump’s polarizing antics and legal problems to nominate him a third time, galvanized after an assassination attempt by a gunman whose bullets nicked Trump’s ear at a Pennsylvania rally, killed a supporter and raised national tensions. —

Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Butler Rally Attendance Trump keeps falsely claiming that 101,000 people attended his second rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, following the first assassination attempt against him. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Trump survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign. —

Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 July 14: Trump survives an assassination attempt at his Butler, Pa. rally days before the Republican National Convention. —

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assassination