Assassinate

/əˈsæs.ɪ.neɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack for political or ideological reasons.

The political activist was convicted of plotting to assassinate the governor.

To destroy or damage someone's reputation or career in a covert or deceptive manner.

The negative press was intended to assassinate her character.

From Middle French 'assassiner', from 'assassin' (from Arabic 'hashshāshīn').

political assassination

The targeted killing of a political figure.

assassination attempt

An effort to kill someone, usually a prominent person.

character assassination

The damaging of someone's reputation through slander.

assassin

A person who kills someone, usually for political reasons.

murder

The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

target

A person or thing aimed at or marked for attack.

Hit

He's got a hit out on him, which means they plan to assassinate him.

Take out

They want to take him out because of his influence.