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
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.
Example
The assassin bug is a common sight in gardens and fields.
Origins of assassin
from Arabic 'hashshashin', meaning 'users of hashish'
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.
