How to pronounce assassinate
Say it like uh-SAS-uh-nayt. Assassinate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce assassinate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- SAS
- uh
- nayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Assassinate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- naytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of assassinate
American and British speakers say assassinate in essentially the same way: /əˈsæsəˌneɪt/ in the US and /əˈsæsɪneɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-SAS-ih-nayt.
What does assassinate mean?
- To murder someone, especially an important person, by a sudden or obscure attack, especially for ideological or political reasons.
- To harm, ruin, or defame severely or destroy by treachery, slander, libel, or obscure attack.“He assassinated his rival's character.”
Where does assassinate come from?
From assassin + -ate, after Middle French assassiner.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with assassinate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of assassinate.
Questions about saying assassinate
How do you pronounce assassinate?
Say uh-SAS-uh-nayt. The American pronunciation is /əˈsæsəˌneɪt/. In British English it is /əˈsæsɪneɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in assassinate?
Assassinate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SAS). Broken into parts: uh · SAS · uh · nayt.
Do Americans and Brits say assassinate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈsæsəˌneɪt/ and the British form is /əˈsæsɪneɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.