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Assassinate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”ช
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assassinate

[ษ™หˆsรฆsษชneษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

political

To kill (someone) suddenly or secretively, especially a prominent person such as a political leader or a public figure.

Synonyms

eliminate, kill, murder, take out.

Examples of usage

  • The dictator was assassinated by a group of rebels.
  • The president narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.
  • The journalist was assassinated for exposing corruption in the government.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To destroy or harm (someone's reputation) with false or slanderous statements.

Synonyms

defame, slander, smear.

Examples of usage

  • The media tried to assassinate the character of the celebrity.
  • He felt his credibility was assassinated by the false accusations.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'assassinate'

The word 'assassinate' originated from the Latin word 'assassinare' which means 'to murder.' The term became popular during the Middle Ages in reference to the members of a Muslim sect who were known for their political assassinations. Over time, the word evolved to encompass any secret or sudden killing of a prominent individual. The concept of assassination has been prevalent throughout history, often associated with political motives or power struggles.

See also: assassination.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,387, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.