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mercenary

[mur-suh-ner-ee] / ˈmɜr səˌnɛr i /


NOUN
person who fights, kills for money
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Over the years, it was sustained by proceeds from the sale of gold to the Gulf region and payments for guarding mines owned by Russia’s mercenary outfit, the Wagner Group, in western Sudan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Working as a mercenary or fighting on behalf of another government is also illegal in South Africa, unless the government authorises it.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

A 26-year-old basketball mercenary at his fifth school, Baker-Mazara is the average age of an NBA player.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday said investigations into "the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into mercenary activities" were still ongoing.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

What’s more, it was obvious this mercenary had fallen on hard times.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss




Vocabulary lists containing mercenary


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