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
Trump was the target of two assassination attempts during the 2024 election cycle.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
The Gulf Clan is Colombia’s largest drug-trafficking organization and has been responsible for widespread violence, extortion and assassinations across the country.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
The president often talked about spirituality in the wake of the assassination attempt on his life during a Pennsylvania rally last July, saying God saved his life.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2025
Last summer, President Trump was the target of two apparent assassination attempts during his run for the White House.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassination
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Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
The Gulf Clan is Colombia’s largest drug-trafficking organization and has been responsible for widespread violence, extortion and assassinations across the country.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
The president often talked about spirituality in the wake of the assassination attempt on his life during a Pennsylvania rally last July, saying God saved his life.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2025
Last summer, President Trump was the target of two apparent assassination attempts during his run for the White House.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 28 June 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 7 Jul. 2025.
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