Synonyms for

Assassinate

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

Definition

to murder someone, especially a public figure, by sudden or secret attack, often for political reasons

Synonyms & similar words

kill murder execute eliminate slay terminate liquidate dispatch hit off neutralize eradicate annihilate destroy exterminate

Synonyms by register

Formal

eliminate neutralize liquidate

Informal

take out bump off off

Literary

slay dispatch

Antonyms

protect defend save preserve support aid uphold

Common collocations

  • assassinate a leader
  • assassinate a president
  • assassinate a politician
  • assassinate a king
  • assassinate a target
  • assassinate someone
  • assassinate a public figure

Word family

noun assassination
adjective assassinative

Usage note

Assassinate specifically refers to the murder of a prominent person, often for political reasons. It is a formal term and should not be confused with simply killing someone.

Example sentences

  1. The dictator ordered his secret police to assassinate his political opponents.
  2. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered World War I.
  3. John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
  4. The CIA organized an assassination attempt on Fidel Castro.
  5. The prime minister narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber.

Quotes

  • "The only way to change the world is to make a little noise: to assassinate." - William S. Burroughs
  • "One death is a tragedy; one million is a statistic." - Joseph Stalin
  • "I do not assassinate people. Anymore. I'm retired." - John Malkovich in "RED"

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