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
Fox News is expected to announce that Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk and new CEO of Turning Point USA, will sit down with Jesse Watters for her first TV interview since her husband’s assassination.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
After his assassination, left-wing professors have attempted to shred Kirk's legacy, as Turning Point displays on college campuses have been destroyed and students have been threatened.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is expected to give her first TV interview since her husband’s assassination to Fox News Channel’s Jesse Watters, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The likely selection comes after Charlie Kirk give a speech to the Sanseito in Tokyo days before his assassination.
—Mark Joseph, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assassination
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Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
After his assassination, left-wing professors have attempted to shred Kirk's legacy, as Turning Point displays on college campuses have been destroyed and students have been threatened.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is expected to give her first TV interview since her husband’s assassination to Fox News Channel’s Jesse Watters, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The likely selection comes after Charlie Kirk give a speech to the Sanseito in Tokyo days before his assassination.
—Mark Joseph, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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