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
Synonyms
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
But some in the Central European nation, appalled by an attempt last week to assassinate their prime minister, Robert Fico, and the frenzy of political finger-pointing that ensued, including warnings of civil war, are wondering whether Ms. Albright was on to something.
—
Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 19 May 2024
On July 17, 1928, Obregón was assassinated outside Mexico City by José León Toral, a zealot Catholic, because of the president’s anti-clerical role in Mexico’s Cristero War, 1926-1929.
—Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for assassinate 
Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 19 May 2024
On July 17, 1928, Obregón was assassinated outside Mexico City by José León Toral, a zealot Catholic, because of the president’s anti-clerical role in Mexico’s Cristero War, 1926-1929.
—Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for assassinate
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Cite this Entry
“Assassinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assassinate. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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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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