Sabotaging Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sabotaging

[ˈsæb.ə.tɑːdʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

influence

To deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something, especially for political or military advantage.

Synonyms

sabotage, saboteur, subvert, undermine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sabotaging	Sabotaging is typically used to describe the act of deliberately damaging or obstructing someone's plans, efforts, or actions. It has negative connotations and is often used in the context of workplace conflicts or competitive environments. She was caught sabotaging her colleague's presentation. They are accused of sabotaging the company's new project.
undermine	Undermine is used to describe an act of gradually weakening someone's efforts, authority, or position. It is generally used in less direct or aggressive contexts compared to sabotage, and can apply to various settings including personal relationships, politics, or work environments. His constant criticism served to undermine her confidence. The scandal undermined the public's trust in the politician.
sabotage	Sabotage refers to the act of deliberately destroying or disrupting something. It can be used in various contexts, including business, warfare, and politics. The word conveys a strong sense of intentional harm. The military base was vulnerable to sabotage. There was an attempt to sabotage the peace talks.
saboteur	Saboteur describes a person who commits sabotage. It is often used to identify individuals who intentionally cause damage or disrupt activities, usually in secret. The authorities arrested the saboteur responsible for the factory fire. During the war, saboteurs damaged the enemy's supply lines.
subvert	Subvert means to undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution. It is often used in political, social, or organizational contexts and has a negative connotation. The rebels sought to subvert the government. His actions were intended to subvert corporate policies.

Examples of usage

He was accused of sabotaging the peace talks.
They were suspected of sabotaging the rival company's operations.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

work

To deliberately disrupt or interfere with the normal operation of something, such as a machine or system.

Synonyms

disrupt, interfere with, sabotage, tamper with.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tamper with	Used when someone manipulates or meddles with something, often in a secretive or unauthorized manner, typically not with beneficial intentions. The lock was tampered with, indicating a break-in. Please do not tamper with the electrical system.
interfere with	Applied when someone's actions are causing difficulties or hindering something, usually without malicious intent. Don't interfere with the work of the technicians. His constant questions interfere with my concentration.
disrupt	Used when something is causing a disturbance or interruption, especially in a less direct or aggressive way than sabotage. The construction noise disrupted our meeting. Weather conditions can disrupt travel plans.
sabotage	Refers to the act of deliberately destroying, damaging, or obstructing something, often with malicious intent. The employee was caught trying to sabotage the project. They planned to sabotage their competitor's equipment.

Examples of usage

The disgruntled employee was caught sabotaging the production line.
The malware was designed to sabotage the network.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People sometimes sabotage their own success due to fear of failure or success, a behavior known as self-sabotage.
Research suggests that negative self-talk may lead to sabotaging one's own efforts, creating a vicious cycle of underachievement.
Fear of the unknown can make individuals sabotage opportunities even if they are good for them.

Pop Culture

In movies and television, characters often resort to sabotage in friendships, romances, or rivalries, creating drama and conflict.
Popular songs and books frequently explore themes of betrayal and sabotage as pivotal plot points.
Reality TV shows often showcase contestants sabotaging each other for the win, highlighting competitive human behavior.

History

Throughout history, sabotage has been used as a form of protest, particularly in labor movements where workers would harm machines to negotiate better conditions.
During World War II, resistance movements utilized sabotage as a potent tactic against occupying forces.
Regimes have often feared sabotage as it undermines authority and can shift public sentiment against them.

Science

In scientific experimentation, internal sabotage can occur when biases or errors affect the validity of results.
Studies have shown that group dynamics can lead to sabotage amongst team members, especially in competitive environments.
Sociologists explore how sabotage affects social movements and can either hinder or escalate efforts for change.

Origin of 'sabotaging'

Main points about word origin

The word 'sabotage' comes from the French word 'sabot', meaning wooden shoe, which workers would throw into machinery to stop it.
The term gained prominence during World War I, when workers would deliberately damage equipment.
In older times, it referred to any act of destruction intended to harm economic interests or political enemies.

The word 'sabotage' originated in the French language during the Industrial Revolution. It comes from the word 'sabot,' which means a wooden shoe. The term 'sabotage' was first used in the context of workers throwing their wooden shoes (sabots) into machinery to break them and protest against their working conditions. Over time, 'sabotage' evolved to refer to any deliberate act of destruction or disruption, especially for political or military reasons.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,699 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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30696 trapeze
30697 menstruating
30698 theatrically
30699 sabotaging
30700 scuttling
30701 contenting
30702 minim
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