What does assassinate mean?
To assassinate is to murder a prominent or important person — most often a political leader, public official, or other well-known figure — typically by means of a sudden, secretive, or premeditated attack carried out for political, ideological, or personal gain. Unlike ordinary murder, the word implies that the victim held a position of significance and that the killing was deliberately planned rather than impulsive. The term appears frequently in journalism, history, and legal discussion, as in 'the president was assassinated' or 'a plot to assassinate the senator was foiled.' A figurative sense also exists: one can 'assassinate' a person's character through slander or defamation, a usage captured in the phrase 'character assassination.' The word derives from 'assassin,' which itself traces to medieval Arabic via accounts of a secretive order of killers in the Middle East. Because it evokes some of history's most consequential deaths, assassinate carries gravity and is reserved for serious, high-stakes acts of violence or reputational destruction.
To murder a prominent or important person, especially for political reasons, typically through a sudden or premeditated attack.
"The conspirators plotted to assassinate the emperor during the annual procession."
To damage or destroy someone's reputation or character through malicious falsehoods or slander.
"Rival columnists sought to assassinate his character ahead of the election."
This figurative use is closely associated with the fixed phrase 'character assassination' and should not be confused with the literal sense.
The word traces back to a medieval sect of Nizari Ismailis whose members were said to be under the influence of hashish — giving us both 'assassin' and 'assassinate'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of assassinate
The verb assassinate derives from assassin, a noun that entered European languages from Arabic in the Middle Ages. The Arabic term referred to members of a secretive Nizari Ismaili order active in Persia and Syria during the eleventh to thirteenth centuries, whose agents carried out targeted killings of political and religious opponents. Medieval chroniclers popularized the belief — now disputed — that these agents were sent on missions under the influence of hashish, linking the name to the Arabic word for the drug. From this noun, the verb form developed in English during the early modern period, with the derived form assassination also well established. Cognates appear throughout European languages, including French assassiner and Italian assassino.
How assassinate is actually used
Primarily used in formal and journalistic contexts when discussing killings of notable figures such as heads of state, activists, or celebrities. The verb carries strong connotations of premeditation, secrecy, and political motive — it is not typically used for ordinary homicides. The figurative sense (e.g. 'to assassinate someone's character') is common in media and legal discourse but is clearly rhetorical rather than literal.
Easily confused with assassinate
Murder is the general term for unlawful killing of any person, while assassinate specifically refers to killing a prominent public figure, often for political motives.