Words / B2

uh-sas-i-NAYSHUN/əˌsæsɪˈneɪʃn/

Assassination is the murder of a famous or political person, usually for political reasons: an assassination attempt, the assassination of a minister. Murder is the everyday legal word for unlawful killing; killing is broader. Assassinate is the verb; assassin is the person. In speech, political murder is the blunt gloss. Do not use assassination for an ordinary crime or a sports defeat — the word is specific and grave.

Meaning

The murder of a famous or political person, usually for political reasons.

Examples

• “The assassination of the president shocked the country.”
• “Security was tightened after the assassination attempt on the visiting minister.”
• “History papers asked whether the assassination changed the treaty, or only the headlines.”

Good to know

Political murder of a prominent person. Verb: assassinate. Everyday: murder (broader). Grave and specific; not a metaphor for a loss.

Near in meaning

murder

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