mercenary
Meanings
noun
- One motivated by gain, especially monetary.
- A person employed to fight in an armed conflict who is not a member of the state or military group for which they are fighting and whose primary motivation is private gain.
- One hired to engage in a figurative battle, as a corporate takeover, a lawsuit, or a political campaign.
adj
- Motivated by personal gain.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From Middle English mercenarye (“someone paid to work, hireling”), from Latin mercēnārius (“hired for money”), from mercēs (“reward, wages, price”).
Synonyms
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Derived words
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