mercenary
gb/mˈɚsənˌɛɹi/ us/mˈɚsənˌɛɹi/
C1
English
zsoldos, önérdekű, anyagias
NOUN
C1
1
zsoldos
B2
Usage pattern:
a mercenary; mercenaries; [group] hires mercenaries
The government was accused of using mercenaries to suppress the rebellion.
A kormányt azzal vádolták, hogy zsoldosokat vetett be a lázadás leverésére.
A group of mercenaries was hired to protect the convoy through the desert.
Egy csapat zsoldost béreltek fel, hogy megvédjék a konvojt a sivatagi úton.
The journalist reported on mercenaries operating in the border region.
Learner examples
He was a mercenary, not a regular soldier.
Ő zsoldos volt, nem a reguláris hadsereg katonája.
The group hired mercenaries for security.
A csoport zsoldosokat fogadott fel védelemre.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse mercenary (a hired fighter) with missionary (a religious worker) or merchant (a seller).
Meaning
Hired soldier who fights for pay
Collocations
hire mercenaries
|mercenary force
|mercenary group
|mercenary fighters
|mercenary army
|foreign mercenaries
|mercenary commander
|mercenary contract
|mercenary activity
|alleged mercenaries
Synonyms
soldier of fortune (More romantic or old-fashioned term for a mercenary.)
|
hired gun (Informal; can also mean any paid enforcer, not only a soldier.)
Antonyms
volunteer (Fights or works without pay.)
|
patriot (Fights mainly out of loyalty to their country.)
Themes
war
|security
|politics
|international_relations
Definition
a soldier who fights for money
A soldier who is paid to fight for a foreign army, group, or cause rather than serving out of loyalty to a country or principle.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a mercenary attitude; mercenary motives; (be) mercenary
She accused him of having mercenary motives for proposing.
Azzal vádolta, hogy amikor megkérte a kezét, azt önérdekű indítékokból tette.
The company’s apology seemed mercenary rather than sincere.
A cég bocsánatkérése inkább érdekből fakadónak tűnt, mint őszintének.
His support vanished when the deal stopped benefiting him, which felt mercenary.
Learner examples
He is mercenary and only thinks about money.
Anyagias, és csak a pénzre gondol.
They said her decision was mercenary.
Azt mondták, hogy a döntése önérdekű volt.
Common mistake:
Mercenary describes motive/attitude (why someone acts), not simply ‘expensive’ or ‘well-paid.’
Meaning
Motivated mainly by money
Collocations
mercenary motives
|mercenary attitude
|mercenary approach
|mercenary behavior
|a mercenary streak
|mercenary decision
|mercenary deal
|mercenary politics
|a mercenary person
|purely mercenary
Synonyms
greedy (General word for wanting too much money or possessions.)
|
venal (Formal; willing to do wrong for money, especially in public life.)
|
money-grubbing (Informal; strongly negative and blunt.)
Antonyms
altruistic (Motivated by helping others rather than personal gain.)
|
idealistic (Guided by principles or ideals rather than profit.)
|
selfless (Putting others’ needs before one’s own.)
Themes
money
|personality
|ethics
|business
Definition
only interested in money and personal gain
Concerned only with gaining money or other personal advantage, rather than with principles, loyalty, or helping others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mercenary
IPA
GB/mˈɚsənˌɛɹi/
US/mˈɚsənˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
mer - cen - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mer)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mercenary
Noun
- Base: mercenary
- Plural: mercenaries
Word family
Forms
mercenaries
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.