Mercenary: meaning, definitions and examples
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mercenary
[ ˈmɜːrsəˌneri ]
person
A person primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics.
Synonyms
greedy, profit-oriented, self-interested.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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mercenary |
This term describes someone primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics or morals, often used in a negative light.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
military
A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.
Synonyms
freelance soldier, hired gun, soldier of fortune.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
motive
Motivated by a desire for money or material gain rather than by ethical principles.
Synonyms
greedy, money-minded, self-serving.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
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.
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greedy |
Describes someone who has an excessive desire for more than what they need, usually referring to money, food, or power. Strongly negative connotation.
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self-serving |
Describes someone who acts to benefit themselves at the expense of others. Negative connotation.
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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.
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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.
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- 16730 wand
- 16731 controllable
- 16732 diver
- 16733 mercenary
- 16734 lingual
- 16735 fanatical
- 16736 fortification
- ...