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assassinateto murder (a prominent person) for political or religious reasons

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to murder (a prominent person) for political or religious reasons

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈsæsɪneɪt/

Example Sentences

  • The villain in the movie tried to assassinate the superhero with a banana gun.
  • Historical records show that many attempts were made to assassinate the tyrant.
  • The media can assassinate a politician's reputation faster than any bullet.

assassinate

VERB

[/əˈsæsɪneɪt/]

to murder (a prominent person) for political or religious reasons

The arrogant king proudly waved to the crowd, unaware of the dark shadow preparing to assassinate him from behind.
💡 Concept

The arrogant king proudly waved to the crowd, unaware of the dark shadow preparing to assassinate him from behind.

ASSASSIN(killer) + ATE(eat) — the dark ASSASSIN smiled as the greedy king ATE the poisoned apple, completing the plan to assassinate him.
🧠 Mnemonic

ASSASSIN(killer) + ATE(eat) — the dark ASSASSIN smiled as the greedy king ATE the poisoned apple, completing the plan to assassinate him.

The beautiful dancer used magic to fascinate the guards, allowing the shadow to assassinate the cruel king.
🎵 Rhyme

The beautiful dancer used magic to fascinate the guards, allowing the shadow to assassinate the cruel king.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈsæsɪneɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈsæsɪneɪt/

🌳Etymology

Rootassassin
Suffix--ate

Origin

The word derives from Arabic hashishin, referring to members of an 11th-century militant organization in the Middle East who were reportedly administered hashish before carrying out assassinations. The term entered Medieval Latin as assassinus and subsequently evolved into the English verb assassinate.

Breakdown

Arabic hashishin (those who use hashish) + Latin suffix -ate (verb-forming suffix) = assassinate. The root hashishin was Latinized to assassinus before receiving the English verbal suffix -ate.

🎵Rhyme

terminateeliminatefascinate
terminate
eliminate
fascinate

🔗Collocations

assassinate a president
plot to assassinate
attempt to assassinate
assassinate a leader
assassinate someone's character

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The villain in the movie tried to assassinate the superhero with a banana gun.

Historical records show that many attempts were made to assassinate the tyrant.

The media can assassinate a politician's reputation faster than any bullet.

😄 Fun example

My diet was completely assassinated by that chocolate cake at the party.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

murdereliminatekillexecuteliquidate

Antonyms

protectsaverescue

Related

assassinassassinationhitmanmurderconspiracy

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