assassinate
verb
as·sas·si·nate
ə-ˈsa-sə-ˌnāt 
assassinated; assassinating
1
: to murder (a usually prominent person) by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons
a plot to assassinate the governor
2
: to injure or destroy unexpectedly and treacherously
assassinate a man's character
Examples of assassinate in a Sentence
They discovered a secret plot to assassinate the governor.
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
Recent Examples on the Web
Milk was assassinated in 1978 by a former colleague on the board.
—
Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 23 May 2025
The day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, a little over four years earlier in 1963, Hartford Public Schools held a half-day so students could grieve.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
Four, in total, attempt to assassinate their niece and her oddball wards.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
None of the definitions listed mentioned anything about assassinating or killing anyone.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassinate
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Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 23 May 2025
The day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, a little over four years earlier in 1963, Hartford Public Schools held a half-day so students could grieve.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
Four, in total, attempt to assassinate their niece and her oddball wards.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
None of the definitions listed mentioned anything about assassinating or killing anyone.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassinate
Cite this Entry
“Assassinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assassinate. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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assassinate
verb
as·sas·si·nate
ə-ˈsas-ᵊn-ˌāt
assassinated; assassinating
: to murder a usually important person by a surprise or secret attack
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