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mercenary

[ˈmɜːsənəri]

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

  • work done solely for financial gain, often without regard for ethics or morality

    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'

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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.

How do native speakers use this expression?