assassin
noun (countable)
UK/əˈsæs.ɪn/US/əˈsæs.ən/
A hired killer who carries out murders for payment or contracts.
Example Sentences
The assassin was hired to take out the rival company's CEO.
Contract killers, also known as assassins, are often sought after for their skills.
The hitman turned assassin decided to leave his violent past behind.
In the crime series, the main character is an assassin struggling with his conscience.
The mercenary assassin worked for the highest bidder without question.
Authorities are cracking down on networks that employ assassins for illegal activities.
He was recruited as an assassin due to his expertise in combat and stealth.
The assassin's ability to remain unseen made him a formidable foe.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A killer who secretly or stealthily eliminates a specific individual, often for hire or ideology.An “assassin” is typically a person who undertakes covert killings, generally focused on prominent targets—be they political leaders, influential figures, or individuals whose death serves some strategic purpose. Motivations can vary: some assassins operate for financial gain (hitmen), while others act out of extremist beliefs, deep personal grudges, or complex conspiracies. Historically, assassins have shaped power dynamics—overthrowing or intimidating leadership figures, altering political landscapes, or triggering widespread alarm. In popular media, assassins appear as shadowy professionals equipped with refined stealth tactics and specialized weaponry.Whether examining real incidents or fictionalized portrayals, the notion of an assassin highlights secrecy and precision: striking swiftly and often vanishing before anyone knows who carried out the act. This hidden approach distinguishes assassins from typical murderers. People discussing assassins may highlight motivations like dismantling a regime, initiating terror, avenging personal wrongs, or simply fulfilling a paid contract. The concept underscores how a single calculated strike can ripple through societies, altering trajectories of power or personal vendettas. In modern contexts, “cyber assassins” or digital saboteurs can figuratively ‘eliminate’ virtual targets or reputations with swift precision. Yet the core idea remains unchanged: an assassin focuses on an impactful target, employing secrecy and often skillful methods, shaping events through a meticulously planned killing.
Alternatives
Depending on the context, words like “hitman,” “contract killer,” or “mercenary” may fit if emphasizing hired work. “Spy” or “operative” can also kill targeted figures, but these terms don’t always imply murder as a primary function. “Terrorist” might overlap when driven by ideological motives aiming to instill fear, but that term emphasizes broader acts of terror rather than pinpoint assassination. “Assassin” signals a more singular, focused mission: eliminating a specified individual in a surreptitious or swift manner. For a historical or romanticized flair, “ninja” in Japanese culture or references to “Hashshashin” (the medieval Middle Eastern sect some link to the root of the word “assassin”) might appear in discussions of covert killers, though each has its own cultural and historical specifics.
Writing
In formal or scholarly writing about “assassin,” define the scope—political assassins like those historically targeting monarchs, presidents, or activists, or fictional portrayals in literature and film. Use examples (e.g., the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand) to illustrate how a single act can trigger large-scale consequences, such as wars or societal upheaval. If focusing on fictional assassins—like in spy thrillers—analyze the character’s ethics, training, and moral conflicts.When describing an assassin’s role, detail the victim’s significance, the assassin’s method (poison, sniper, dagger), and any conspiratorial or organizational links. Point out cultural interpretations: some societies have mythologized assassins as cunning heroes or antiheroes, while others see them strictly as cold-blooded murderers. Whether composing historical accounts, crime reports, or creative pieces, framing an assassin’s motive, skill set, and the sociopolitical fallout underscores how pivotal a single killing can be. Provide context—legal definitions of contract killing or espionage—to give readers a full view of how assassins operate within or outside the law.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, people rarely mention the word “assassin” unless referencing news stories, historical events, or pop culture. Friends might jokingly say, “He’s a real assassin on the basketball court,” praising someone’s precision shot, though this usage is metaphorical and quite informal. When discussing an action movie or a video game, you might say, “This game lets you play as an assassin sneaking through enemy territory,” highlighting stealth-based gameplay.Sometimes, “assassin” also appears in comedic or hyperbolic settings—like calling a cat a “bird assassin” if it catches too many birds, or teasing a friend who’s expertly eliminating opposing players in an online match. Still, it retains a dark edge, referencing silent or sudden eliminations, so casual uses sometimes lean on irony or dramatized fun. Otherwise, hearing “assassin” casually points to plot summaries, historical anecdotes (like the assassins of Julius Caesar or Abraham Lincoln), or game narratives, rather than real-life violent acts. In personal references, calling someone an “assassin” in a joking sense typically aims to highlight skill, stealth, or unwavering efficiency—like calling a friend who closes every deal an “assassin in sales,” praising their lethal professionalism. But outside humor or hyperbole, people rarely label routine actions “assassinations” in day-to-day speech. Instead, the term conjures carefully orchestrated, clandestine killings, carrying significant weight when used literally or historically.
Etymology
“Assassin” traces back to the medieval Middle Eastern sect known as the Nizari Isma'ili, sometimes labeled “Hashshashin.” The term was long believed, though somewhat mythically, to derive from stories that these killers consumed hashish before missions. Linguists debate this origin, but “assassin” solidified in Western languages to designate a stealthy, typically politically motivated killer. Through centuries, as kingdoms and empires contended with behind-the-scenes murders, the word “assassin” absorbed the aura of subterfuge and cold calculation. Modern usage extends from historical murder squads to present-day fictional narratives, always tying to the concept of a targeted killing performed surreptitiously.