Word

assassination

noun C1

/əˌsæs.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Meanings

noun

the deliberate killing of a famous or important person, often for political reasons

noun

the act of plotting or attempting to kill an important person

Definition

Assassination is the deliberate killing of a prominent person, usually for political reasons.

Assassination is the planned, intentional killing of a well-known or influential person, especially a political leader. It is typically carried out to change power, intimidate others, or send a public message. The word is used for targeted killings rather than ordinary murders without a public or political motive.

Examples

The documentary examines how the assassination reshaped the country’s politics for decades.
She argued that the assassination was intended to destabilize the new government rather than target one person alone.
After the assassination, the security protocols around public appearances became far more restrictive.
They were shocked by the assassination and questioned how such a breach could happen in broad daylight.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes use assassination for any murder, but it usually refers to a targeted killing of a prominent person, often with political motives.