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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

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

Last November, the South African government said it had received distress calls from the group of men who had joined mercenary forces in the conflict.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The men were aged 34 and 40, the source said, adding one of them is a former police officer who had worked for Wagner mercenary group.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Yet this Lord Furnival had fought in France or had been off to mercenary wars for so many years that most villagers, including myself, had never set eyes on him.

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi




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