C2nounconflicthistory
US/ˈmɜːr.sə.ner.i/
UK/ˈmɜː.sən.ər.i/
a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them, not for their own country
In context
The king hired foreign mercenaries because his own army was too small.
Reports suggest that mercenaries are fighting on both sides of the conflict.
Using mercenaries makes it harder to hold anyone responsible for abuses.
Words that go with mercenary
adjective + noun
- foreign mercenariesThe government denied using foreign mercenaries.
verb + noun
- hire mercenariesRich merchants would hire mercenaries to guard their ships.
noun + noun
- mercenary armyAncient Carthage relied heavily on a mercenary army.
- mercenary groupA private mercenary group was accused of attacking villages.
noun + preposition
- band of mercenariesA band of mercenaries controlled the mountain pass.