Synonyms for

Assassin

Verb / ʌˈsæsʌn / Another word for assassin — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a person who murders an important person, especially for political or religious reasons

Synonyms & similar words

assassinator bravo killer hitman murderer executioner gunman slayer terminator liquidator eliminator butcher saboteur terrorist guerrilla operative spy marauder raider bandit outlaw

Synonyms by register

Formal

executioner killer slayer murderer

Informal

hitman killer hired gun

Literary

reaper shadow nightshade

Antonyms

protector defender bodyguard guardian savior rescuer

Common collocations

  • political assassin
  • hired assassin
  • assassin's creed
  • professional assassin
  • assassin's target
  • assassin's guild
  • notorious assassin

Word family

noun assassin
verb assassinate
adjective assassinating
adverb assassinatingly

Usage note

An assassin is specifically someone who murders a prominent person, often for political reasons. While 'killer' and 'murderer' are related, 'assassin' implies a targeted, often politically motivated, killing.

Example sentences

  1. The assassin was hired to kill the king.
  2. The police arrested the assassin before he could carry out the murder.
  3. The country's leader was killed by an assassin.
  4. The assassin used a sniper rifle to kill his target.
  5. The assassin disguised himself as a waiter to get close to his target.

Quotes

  • I'm an assassin. I'm not a martyr.
  • An assassin cannot be an artist, but an artist can be an assassin.
  • The assassin is the personification of the political attitude of the ruling class: intolerance.

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