Meaning & use
mercenary
A soldier hired to fight for a foreign army or group purely for payment, rather than out of loyalty or belief.
See it in a sentence
The kingdom hired mercenaries to bolster its army during the siege.
Some mercenaries fought in multiple conflicts across the continent for the highest bidder.
A note on using this word
As an adjective, mercenary also describes anyone motivated chiefly by money, often with a negative connotation.
Words with a similar meaning
hired soldier
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Motivated solely by a desire for money or personal gain.
His mercenary approach to dating disappointed everyone who wanted something genuine.
Make it your own
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