noun Common

assassination

uh-sas-ih-NAY-shuhn

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Assassination (noun) means the killing of someone, usually a prominent or public figure, carried out deliberately and often for political motives. Example: “The assassination of the senator shocked the entire country.”

noun

The killing of someone, usually a prominent or public figure, carried out deliberately and often for political motives.

"The assassination of the senator shocked the entire country."

"Historians still debate what triggered the assassination."

How to use assassination

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe deliberate killing of someone important, usually for political or ideological reasons.

Common mistake

Reserve "assassination" for targeted killings of notable figures (politicians, leaders) — an ordinary murder is not usually called an assassination.

Common pairings

political assassination attempted assassination assassination plot

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: assassinations

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The _____ of the senator shocked the entire country.

Etymology

From "assassinate" plus the suffix "-ion", ultimately from the Arabic term for hashish-users, via medieval tales of killers said to be drugged before their attacks.

Origin: Arabic

Synonyms

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murder killing hit execution blackwash

Related words

hit miss performance kill attack rock beat reached

Rhymes for assassination

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation diffusion elocution extension oxidation perfusion selection

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Frequently asked questions

What does “assassination” mean?

The word “assassination” means the killing of someone, usually a prominent or public figure, carried out deliberately and often for political motives. In plain terms, the deliberate killing of someone important, usually for political or ideological reasons.

How do you pronounce “assassination”?

“Assassination” is pronounced uh-sas-ih-NAY-shuhn (/əˌsæs.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “assassination” in a sentence?

Here is “assassination” used in a sentence: “The assassination of the senator shocked the entire country.”

What part of speech is “assassination”?

“Assassination” is a noun.

Where does the word “assassination” come from?

The word “assassination” comes from Arabic. From "assassinate" plus the suffix "-ion", ultimately from the Arabic term for hashish-users, via medieval tales of killers said to be drugged before their attacks.

Is “assassination” a common word?

“Assassination” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between assassination and murder?

Assassination specifically refers to the deliberate killing of a prominent or public figure, usually for political motives. Murder is the broader term for any unlawful, deliberate killing, so every assassination is a murder, but not every murder is an assassination.

Does assassination always have a political motive?

Assassination is most often associated with political motives, but the term generally applies to the deliberate killing of any prominent or public figure, which can include motives beyond politics. The key elements are that the killing is deliberate and the target holds public prominence.

Can assassination be used for ordinary, private killings?

No, assassination is reserved for killings of prominent or public figures rather than private individuals. Using it for an ordinary killing would be inaccurate, since the word implies the victim's public status and the deliberate, often politically motivated nature of the act.

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