as·sas·si·nate 
(ə-săsə-nāt′)
(ə-săsə-nāt′)tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates
1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons.
2. To destroy or injure treacherously: assassinate a rival's character.
as·sas′si·nation n.
as·sassi·na′tive adj.
as·sassi·na′tor n.