<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the premeditated act of killing someone suddenly or secretively, especially a prominent person: The meticulous way in which the journalist's assassination was carried out has led to suspicions that his killers were professionals working for state security.</li><li>the act of destroying or harming treacherously and viciously: They went after me with everything they had, engaging in character assassination and in destroying my reputation—a complete fabrication and frame-up.</li></ul>