assassinated
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈsæsəˌneɪtɪd// UK //ɐsˈæsɪnˌeɪtɪd// as·sas·si·nat·ed
adj. killed by a planned attack, usually for political reasons. You use this word when someone important is murdered on purpose.
adj. killed by a deliberate and planned attack, typically motivated by political or religious aims. Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'get'.
The president was assassinated in 1963.
The prime minister was assassinated while walking to his office.
Historians debate whether the assassination was the work of a lone gunman or part of a larger conspiracy.
Usage
The adjective is derived from the past participle of 'assassinate'. It is commonly used in passive constructions.
Pitfall
He was assassinated by a bullet.He was assassinated by an assassin.Assassinated implies a person did the killing, not the weapon itself.