Sabotagist: meaning, definitions and examples

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sabotagist

 

[ˈsæbəˌtɑːdʒɪst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

person who commits sabotage

A sabotagist is a person who engages in acts of sabotage, typically in a political or industrial context. Sabotage refers to the deliberate destruction or disruption of property, equipment, or processes in order to hinder or undermine a particular cause or organization.

Synonyms

saboteur, subversive, troublemaker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sabotagist

Usually used to describe someone who deliberately destroys or damages something to harm or obstruct a cause or operation, often in a technical or industrial setting.

  • Authorities arrested the sabotagist who caused the factory equipment to malfunction.
  • The sabotagist’s actions halted production for several days.
saboteur

Describes someone who deliberately destroys, damages, or disrupts an activity or event, often in a political, military, or industrial context. The term is quite broad and commonly used.

  • The saboteur was caught before he could detonate the explosives.
  • She was suspected of being a saboteur after the project's failure.
troublemaker

Used to describe a person who habitually causes trouble or conflict, often in a social or group setting. It has a less severe and more informal connotation than 'saboteur' and can sometimes be used in a light-hearted manner.

  • Every class has at least one troublemaker.
  • She is known as a troublemaker who always causes disruptions.
subversive

Refers to someone who seeks to undermine or overthrow an established system or institution, often with a focus on societal or governmental structures. This term carries a more ideological connotation.

  • The government was wary of subversive elements within the country.
  • His subversive speech encouraged people to question authority.

Examples of usage

  • The group of sabotagists managed to disable the factory's machinery.
  • The sabotagist planted explosives to disrupt the train schedule.
  • The sabotagist cut the communication lines to create chaos.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'sabotage' comes from the French word 'sabot', meaning 'wooden shoe', which workers would throw into machinery to stop it.
  • The '-ist' suffix indicates a person who performs a particular action, making 'sabotagist' someone who engages in sabotage.

Historical Context

  • In World War I, sabotage was used extensively as a military tactic to hinder enemy operations.
  • During the industrial age, workers often sabotaged machines to protest against working conditions.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'Fight Club' portray sabotage as a means of rebellion against consumer culture.
  • In modern video games, sabotaging opponents' resources or plans is a common strategy.

Psychology

  • Sabotage can be linked to feelings of frustration or powerlessness, leading some individuals to undermine systems as a form of expression.
  • In group settings, a sabotagist may feel disconnected from their peers, prompting them to disrupt group cohesion.

Literature

  • Fiction often explores themes of sabotage, where protagonists may resort to underhanded tactics in their quests against corruption.
  • Classic literature sometimes contrasts honorable characters with sabotagists to highlight moral dilemmas.

Translations

Translations of the word "sabotagist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sabotador

🇮🇳 विध्वंसक

🇩🇪 Saboteur

🇮🇩 sabotase

🇺🇦 диверсант

🇵🇱 sabotażysta

🇯🇵 破壊工作員 (はかいこうさくいん)

🇫🇷 saboteur

🇪🇸 saboteador

🇹🇷 sabotajcı

🇰🇷 사보타주범

🇸🇦 مخرّب

🇨🇿 sabotér

🇸🇰 sabotér

🇨🇳 破坏者 (pòhuàizhě)

🇸🇮 saboter

🇮🇸 skemmdarvargur

🇰🇿 диверсант

🇬🇪 დამსხვრეველი

🇦🇿 sabotajçı

🇲🇽 saboteador