assassinate

[əˈsæsɪneɪt]

assassinate Definition

to murder someone, especially someone important or famous, by a sudden or secret attack, often for political reasons.

Using assassinate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "assassinate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The president was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.

  • Example

    The prime minister was assassinated by a suicide bomber.

  • Example

    The dictator survived several assassination attempts.

  • Example

    The journalist was assassinated for exposing corruption.

assassinate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for assassinate

Phrases with assassinate

  • an unsuccessful effort to murder an important or famous person, often for political reasons

    Example

    The assassination attempt on the president failed when the gunman's weapon jammed.

  • the murder of an important or famous person for political reasons

    Example

    The political assassination of the opposition leader sparked widespread protests.

  • a secret plan to murder an important or famous person, often for political reasons

    Example

    The police uncovered an assassination plot against the prime minister.

Origins of assassinate

from Latin 'assassinare', meaning 'to kill'

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Summary: assassinate in Brief

'Assassinate' [əˈsæsɪneɪt] means to murder someone, especially someone important or famous, by a sudden or secret attack, often for political reasons. It is often used in phrases like 'assassination attempt,' 'political assassination,' and 'assassination plot.' 'Assassinate' is a formal term that can be replaced with 'eliminate' or 'execute' in formal contexts, or 'take out' in informal contexts.

How do native speakers use this expression?