Assassination — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˌsa-sə-ˈnā-shən/ as·sas·si·na·tion

Meaning & Definition of Assassination

Assassination (noun)

  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)
  2. treacherous destruction of a person's reputation

Assassination (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hit, execution

    similar: execution, hit, bloodshed, butchery, carnage, decimation, destruction, massacre, slaughter, euthanasia, mercy killing, chance-medley, killing, manslaughter, filicide, fratricide, matricide, parricide, patricide, regicide, uxoricide, blood, foul play, homicide, murder, rubout, slaying

Related Entry: Assassinate (verb)

Assassinate is a different word from Assassination. The synonyms below are for assassinate, not for assassination.

  1. to put to death deliberately

    "President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth"

    similar: bump off, croak (slang), dispatch, do in, execute, get, ice (slang), knock off, liquidate, murder, neutralize, off (slang), put away, rub out, slay, snuff, take out, terminate, whack (slang), do away with
    related: blow away, shoot, shoot down, blot out, carry off, claim, cut down, destroy, fell, kill, smite, zap, butcher, massacre, mow (down), slaughter, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, exterminate, wipe out
    near: animate, raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive

Related Entry: Character assassination (noun)

Character assassination is a different word from Assassination. The synonyms below are for character assassination, not for assassination.

  1. the making of false statements that damage another's reputation

    "the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination"

    similar: aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling, maligning, slander, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifying
    related: aspersion, innuendo, muck, mud, smear, backbiting, detraction, abuse, invective, vituperation, attack, censure, criticism, denunciation, hatchet job, contempt, disdain, scorn, belittlement, denigration, disparagement, cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
    near: acclaim, accolade, applause, commendation, praise, esteem, honor, respect, adulation, flattery, adoration, reverence, veneration, worship

  2. the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent

    "refused to resort to character assassination even if it meant losing his bid for governor"

    similar: mudslinging, name-calling
    related: defamation, libel, maligning, slander, smearing, vilification, belittlement, detraction, disparagement, abuse, invective, vituperation, censure, denunciation, revilement, aspersion, innuendo

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assassination

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assassination:

execution, hit, bloodshed, butchery, carnage, decimation, destruction, massacre, slaughter, euthanasia, mercy killing, chance-medley, killing, manslaughter, filicide, fratricide, matricide, parricide, patricide, regicide, uxoricide, blood, foul play, homicide, murder, rubout, slaying

Word Forms of Assassination

Inflections: assassinations

Origin & Etymology of Assassination

First known use: 1610

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assassination

Words & Phrases Containing Assassination

character assassination

Frequently Asked Questions about Assassination

What does "Assassination" mean?

"Assassination" means murder by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons, the act or an instance of assassinating someone (such as a prominent political leader). As a noun, it is defined as: murder by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons, the act or an instance of assassinating someone (such as a prominent political leader).

What is another word for "Assassination"?

Other words for "Assassination" include execution, hit, bloodshed, butchery, carnage, decimation, destruction and massacre. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assassination" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assassination"?

There are 27 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assassination". Common alternatives include execution, hit, bloodshed, butchery, carnage, decimation, destruction, massacre, slaughter and euthanasia.

Is "Assassination" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assassination" is a noun.

Is "Assassination" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Assassination" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Assassination"?

"Assassination" is pronounced /ə-ˌsa-sə-ˈnā-shən/ and divided into syllables as as·sas·si·na·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Assassination"?

First known use: 1610.

What is another word for "Assassination" meaning "as in hit, execution"?

When "Assassination" (noun) means as in hit, execution, synonyms include execution, hit, bloodshed, butchery, carnage and decimation.