mercenary Definition
- 1a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army
- 2primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics
Using mercenary: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mercenary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The mercenary was hired by the government to fight in the war.
Example
He was accused of being a mercenary journalist who would write anything for money.
Example
The company's decision to cut corners was purely mercenary.
Example
She refused to be part of the mercenary scheme to exploit the vulnerable population.
mercenary Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for mercenary
- soldier of fortune
- hired gun
- freelance soldier
- contract soldier
- bounty hunter
Phrases with mercenary
Example
He was criticized for his mercenary work as a lobbyist for the tobacco industry.
an army composed of professional soldiers who are hired to fight for a foreign country or organization
Example
The mercenary army was hired to protect the oil fields in the region.
mercenary motives
motives driven by financial gain rather than ethical considerations
Example
The politician's mercenary motives were exposed when he accepted bribes from corporations.
Origins of mercenary
from Latin 'mercenarius', meaning 'hireling'
Summary: mercenary in Brief
A 'mercenary' [ˈmɜːsənəri] is a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army. It can also describe someone who is primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics. Examples include 'The mercenary was hired by the government to fight in the war.' and 'The company's decision to cut corners was purely mercenary.' Phrases like 'mercenary work' and 'mercenary motives' extend the term's use into other contexts.
