# assassinate

/əˈsæsəˌneɪt/ (US) · /ɐsˈæsɪnˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assassinate
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to murder a famous or important person, usually for political reasons.

For teachers: to murder a prominent person, such as a political leader or public figure, by a sudden or secret attack. Often implies a premeditated act motivated by ideological or political goals.

## Examples

- The group planned to assassinate the president during the parade.
- Security forces were on high alert following reports of a plot to assassinate the visiting prime minister.
- History changed forever when a lone gunman managed to assassinate the Archduke, triggering a chain of events that led directly to the outbreak of the First World War.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The leader was assassinated by a car accident" but "The leader was killed in a car accident" — Assassinate implies a deliberate, planned murder; it cannot be used for accidental deaths.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a person of high status.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.