Mercenary: meaning, definitions and examples

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mercenary

 

[ ˈmɜːrsəˌneri ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

person

A person primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics.

Synonyms

greedy, profit-oriented, self-interested.

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Word Description / Examples
mercenary

This term describes someone primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics or morals, often used in a negative light.

  • His mercenary attitude toward the charity work disappointed everyone
greedy

This word describes someone who has an excessive desire for wealth or possessions, often without regard to ethics or the needs of others. It is strongly negative.

  • The greedy landlord refused to spend any money on repairs
profit-oriented

This term describes someone who is focused on making a profit, often in a business context. It is not necessarily negative unless a lack of ethics is implied.

  • The company's profit-oriented strategy led to increased revenue this quarter
self-interested

This word describes someone who acts in their own interest, sometimes at the expense of others. It can be seen negatively if it suggests selfishness.

  • His self-interested decisions caused friction within the team

Examples of usage

  • He was accused of being a mercenary who only cared about profit.
  • The mercenaries were hired to protect the business interests of the company.
Context #2 | Noun

military

A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.

Synonyms

freelance soldier, hired gun, soldier of fortune.

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Word Description / Examples
mercenary

This word is often used in a negative sense to describe someone who is primarily motivated by personal gain, especially money, rather than loyalty or a cause.

  • He was nothing but a mercenary, driven by money rather than morals.
  • The mercenary fought for the highest bidder, caring little about the reasons behind the conflict.
soldier of fortune

This term has a romantic or adventurous connotation and refers to someone who fights in various places for personal gain or as a lifestyle choice. It often portrays a sense of adventure and risk.

  • As a soldier of fortune, he traveled the world in search of new battles and opportunities.
  • She lived the life of a soldier of fortune, taking part in conflicts across different continents.
hired gun

Often used in a negative or casual context, this phrase can refer to someone who is employed to do dangerous or illicit tasks, typically for money. It focuses on the transactional nature of the arrangement.

  • He's just a hired gun, brought in to do the dirty work.
  • The corporation hired a gun to deal with its rivals.
freelance soldier

This term is more neutral and can refer to a soldier who offers their military services independently without being part of a usual army. It emphasizes independence and the professional aspect of the soldier.

  • After leaving the army, he became a freelance soldier, offering his skills to those who needed them.
  • The freelance soldier took up various missions, traveling from one conflict zone to another.

Examples of usage

  • The mercenary was known for his combat skills and loyalty to the highest bidder.
  • The mercenaries were recruited to fight in the civil war.
Context #3 | Adjective

motive

Motivated by a desire for money or material gain rather than by ethical principles.

Synonyms

greedy, money-minded, self-serving.

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Word Description / Examples
mercenary

Often used to describe someone or something participating in an activity solely for financial gain, without regard for principles or ethics. Typically has a negative connotation.

  • His mercenary actions in the charity scandalized everyone involved.
  • The mercenary attitude of some professionals can ruin the industry.
greedy

Describes someone who has an excessive desire for more than what they need, usually referring to money, food, or power. Strongly negative connotation.

  • The greedy CEO took home millions while the workers struggled.
  • His greedy behavior at the buffet embarrassed his friends.
self-serving

Describes someone who acts to benefit themselves at the expense of others. Negative connotation.

  • The government's self-serving policies only helped the wealthy.
  • Her self-serving attitude isolated her from her colleagues.
money-minded

Refers to someone who is very focused on making and saving money. Not necessarily negative but can imply a lack of attention to other aspects of life.

  • Being money-minded, she always looked for investment opportunities.
  • His money-minded nature meant that he rarely spent on luxuries.

Examples of usage

  • His decision to join the project was purely mercenary.
  • She had a mercenary attitude towards her job, always looking for ways to increase her income.

Translations

Translations of the word "mercenary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mercenário

🇮🇳 भाड़े का सैनिक

🇩🇪 Söldner

🇮🇩 tentara bayaran

🇺🇦 найманець

🇵🇱 najemnik

🇯🇵 傭兵 (ようへい)

🇫🇷 mercenaire

🇪🇸 mercenario

🇹🇷 paralı asker

🇰🇷 용병 (yongbyeong)

🇸🇦 مرتزق (murtaziq)

🇨🇿 žoldák

🇸🇰 žoldnier

🇨🇳 雇佣兵 (gùyōngbīng)

🇸🇮 plačanec

🇮🇸 hermaður fyrir laun

🇰🇿 жалдамалы жауынгер

🇬🇪 მოიჯარე (moijare)

🇦🇿 muqaviləli əsgər

🇲🇽 mercenario

Etymology

The word 'mercenary' originated from the Latin word 'mercennarius', meaning 'one who works for hire'. In ancient times, mercenaries were often hired by foreign powers to fight in wars. The concept of mercenaries has existed for centuries, with mercenaries playing significant roles in various conflicts throughout history. The reputation of mercenaries has been mixed, with some being praised for their combat skills while others criticized for their lack of loyalty and ethical standards.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,733, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.