assassination

assassination — noun

1. the deliberate killing of a well-known person, such as a president, king, or oth

1.名詞B2
釋義

the deliberate killing of a well-known person, such as a president, king, or other public leader, usually planned in advance and carried out for political reasons.

例句

The assassination of President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre shocked the entire nation in 1865.

assassination of + [public figure]

Police arrested two men who were planning the assassination of the prime minister.

planning + an assassination (premeditation)

同義詞
  • murder

    general term for any unlawful killing; lacks the political or high-profile element

  • killing

    neutral and broad; doesn't imply planning or a famous victim

  • execution

    suggests a cold, professional method, often by a hitman or state authority

文法句型

assassination of [person]

assassination attempt

用法筆記

Subject of the killing is almost always a famous public figure — head of state, politician, religious leader, or activist. For ordinary victims, use 'murder' instead. Often appears in the fixed collocations 'assassination attempt' (a try that may fail) and 'assassination plot' (the secret plan).

常見錯誤

❌My neighbour was the victim of an assassination last night.
✅My neighbour was the victim of a murder last night.
💡assassination is reserved for famous or politically important targets, not private citizens.
❌The killer carried out an assassination on the shopkeeper.
✅The killer carried out the assassination of the governor.
💡use 'assassination of + [public figure]', not 'assassination on + [ordinary person]'.