assassin

[əˈsæsɪn]

assassin Definition

a person who murders someone, especially a public figure, by surprise attack, often for political or religious reasons.

Using assassin: Examples

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

  • Example

    The president was killed by an assassin's bullet.

  • Example

    The group hired an assassin to eliminate their rival.

  • Example

    He was arrested for attempting to hire an assassin to kill his business partner.

assassin Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for assassin

  • killer
  • murderer
  • hitman
  • executioner

Phrases with assassin

  • a person who murders a political figure or for political reasons

    Example

    The country was in chaos after the political assassin killed the prime minister.

  • serial assassin

    a person who murders three or more people over a period of time, with a cooling-off period between each murder

    Example

    The police were on the hunt for the serial assassin who had been targeting young women in the city.

  • a predatory insect that feeds on other insects and is known for its painful bite

    Example

    The assassin bug is a common sight in gardens and fields.

Origins of assassin

from Arabic 'hashshashin', meaning 'users of hashish'

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Summary: assassin in Brief

An 'assassin' [əˈsæsɪn] is a person who murders someone, especially a public figure, by surprise attack, often for political or religious reasons. It can also refer to a predatory insect known for its painful bite. 'Assassin' is synonymous with 'killer,' 'murderer,' and 'hitman.' Phrases like 'political assassin' and 'serial assassin' denote specific types of assassins.

How do native speakers use this expression?