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
Recent Examples on the Web
Next week's preliminary hearing will be the public's first detailed look at the evidence prosecutors say ties Robinson to Kirk's assassination.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Visitors will see his Rough Riders uniform; the 1884 diary grieving his terrible loss; and the eyeglasses case, speech and shirt from the 1912 assassination attempt against him.
—
Jack Dura,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
The assassination sparked a political crisis in Malta that drove the then prime minister, Joseph Muscat, from office in 2020, although he was never linked to the murder.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
2 July 2026
But during his stay, Haiti's already fragile political system devolved into unrest and violence that led to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and continues to today.
—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for assassination
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Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Visitors will see his Rough Riders uniform; the 1884 diary grieving his terrible loss; and the eyeglasses case, speech and shirt from the 1912 assassination attempt against him.
—
Jack Dura,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
The assassination sparked a political crisis in Malta that drove the then prime minister, Joseph Muscat, from office in 2020, although he was never linked to the murder.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
2 July 2026
But during his stay, Haiti's already fragile political system devolved into unrest and violence that led to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and continues to today.
—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for assassination
Cite this Entry
“Assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assassination. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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