No these are different concepts Assassination is targeted killing of a public figure for a large motive which benefits from the death of said individual such as political upheaval crippling a government inciting a panic eliminating a dictator that isn t cooperating with your nation like all the other dictators etc Bob could decide to assassinate JFK and do it himself and it s an assassination and not a contract killing Then maybe he hires his maid to kill his wife just cuz he doesn t like his wife any more that s a contract killing but not an assassination because his wife isn t a figurehead and he doesn t accomplish broad change It s a simplified example but hopefully straightforward enough 69 105 172 180