LoginKill vs. Murder vs. Assassinate
All three verbs mean to cause the death of another person, but there is a difference in their meaning. To 'kill' means to make someone or something die. 'Murder' refers to the crime of deliberately causing someone's death, while 'assassinate' refers to the act of taking the life of an important person. This lesson will discuss these differences in more details.
Difference in Scope
'Kill' is the most general verb among these three. It refer to any act of causing a living being's death, whether a human or an animal. It can be accidental or intentional and does not necessarily involve criminal intent. 'Murder', however, is necessarily intentional and is especially used in the context of discussing the act as a crime. 'Assassinate' is the most specific term among the three and refers to the preplanned act of taking the life of someone in a position of power or influence, often with political or ideological motives. Compare the examples:
The car accident tragically killed three people.
'Killing' does not involve intentional action.
The snake bite can kill if not treated promptly.
She plotted to murder her wealthy husband to inherit his fortune.
'Murder' necessarily involves criminal intent.
The political leader was assassinated during a public event.
Quiz:
Which situation best describes the act of "murder"?
A person dies in a tragic accident on the road.
A criminal deliberately takes the life of another person for financial gain.
An animal kills its prey for food.
Which sentence uses the verb "assassinate" correctly?
The soldier assassinated enemy forces in battle.
The virus can assassinate people if not treated.
A famous author was assassinated by an unknown group.
Which of the following statements correctly describe the verb "kill"?
Killing always involves criminal intent and premeditation.
A car accident that results in death can be described as a killing.
"Kill" is a specific term used only for murder in legal contexts.
Unscramble the following words to form a correct sentence.
Match the correct definition to each verb.
Fill in the blanks with the correct word (kill/murder/assassinate) according to context.
The spy was hired to
the enemy leader during the upcoming summit.
The car accident tragically
three people.
The thief was arrested after attempting to
a bank employee.
The hunter
the bear in the forest.
The criminal was charged with attempting to
a political figure.
Fill out the table below by choosing the correct verb for each situation: Kill, Murder, or Assassinate.
| situation | verb |
|---|---|
A car accident that caused three deaths | |
A premeditated attack on a political figure | |
The act of causing someone's death without criminal intent | |
A crime of deliberately causing the death of a person |
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