assassin

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'assassin' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who murders someone important for political reasons or for money. Example: The king's advisor was killed by a skilled assassin who had been hired by his political rival.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'The President' was his answer; 'he was killed by an assassin!' Then came a loud burst of grief from the crowd, which awoke me from my dream.

The Guardian - Opinion

Who is the mysterious assassin, "Tiny Blair" in the climactic close of the episode.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I found this refined wuxia tale of an assassin who finds a conflict between duty, family and love to be a wonderfully made film, and genuinely beautiful – though one has to be careful using that adjective which is so often a hesitant euphemism for unengaging.

The Guardian - Film

His assassin, Charlotte Corday, saw herself as a political criminal, a legitimate avenger.

The Guardian - Arts

7. Power by Joe Craig On a teaching-kids-stuff note, I could argue that watching a 12-year-old genetically engineered government assassin deactivate an ingenious yet lethal bomb in an underground car park is educational.

The Guardian

They call him the magician, or the "smiling assassin", for his lightning attacks and last-minute goals.

The Guardian

See articleFrancisco Rafael Arellano Félix, a former head of Mexico's Tijuana drug cartel, was murdered at a family party in Baja California by an assassin disguised as a clown.

The Economist

Mr Cusack is our hero, a globe-trotting assassin both bored and tormented by his work (he played a similar part in the underrated "Grosse Pointe Blank").He guzzles Tabasco, talks to an electronic shrink attached to his NavStar and flies his own private jet from killing field to killing field.

The Economist

A putative assassin was arrested and deported to Russia.

The Economist

Perhaps he was targeted by the mob for trying to stop the demolition of a particular Chinese temple, from which he had just emerged when his assassin appeared.

The Economist

Several political parties tried to prolong his detention, arguing he might re-offend or be targeted by vigilantes; Mr Fortuyn has become something of a secular saint to his supporters, and his assassin is widely despised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events or fictional narratives involving targeted killings, use "assassin" to convey a sense of political motivation or specialized skill, distinguishing it from general terms like "killer" or "murderer".

Common error

Avoid using "assassin" when a simpler term like "killer" or "murderer" is more appropriate. "Assassin" implies a specific type of killing, often politically motivated, and using it loosely can sound overdramatic.

Linguistic Context

The word "assassin" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person who murders an important person for political or monetary reasons. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing historical events, fictional characters, and contemporary news stories. The AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "assassin" is a grammatically sound noun used to describe someone who murders a politically important or prominent figure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the numerous examples provided showcase its prevalence in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "hitman" and "murderer" exist, "assassin" carries the specific connotation of a targeted killing with political or professional motivations. When writing, it's important to consider this nuance and avoid using "assassin" when a more general term is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hitman

Refers to a professional killer, typically hired for a specific task.

contract killer

Similar to "hitman", emphasizing the contractual agreement for the killing.

murderer

A general term for someone who unlawfully kills another person with malice aforethought.

killer

A more general term than "assassin", simply denoting someone who kills.

slayer

A more archaic or dramatic term for a killer.

executioner

Someone who carries out a death sentence.

liquidator

A euphemistic term, often used in espionage contexts, referring to someone who eliminates targets.

sniper

A marksman who shoots from a concealed location, often for military or assassination purposes.

secret agent

A government agent performing clandestine operations.

operative

A person working undercover.

FAQs

How is "assassin" different from a regular killer?

"Assassin" typically implies a politically motivated or professionally hired killer, often targeting prominent figures, while "killer" is a general term for someone who takes a life.

What are some synonyms for "assassin"?

Synonyms include "hitman", "contract killer", and "murderer", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it appropriate to use "assassin" in a casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "assassin" is a strong word and may sound out of place in casual conversation unless discussing a relevant topic like history, politics, or crime.

What is the origin of the word "assassin"?

The word "assassin" comes from the Arabic word 'hashashin', referring to a Nizari Ismaili sect known for their targeted killings, often said to be conducted under the influence of hashish.