saboteur

noun

sab·​o·​teur ˌsa-bə-ˈtər How to pronounce saboteur (audio)
-ˈtu̇r,
-ˈtyu̇r
: one that practices sabotage

Examples of saboteur in a Sentence

The car's tires were slashed by saboteurs.
Recent Examples on the Web Their sentencing is the latest development in energy attacks across the U.S. by saboteurs looking to blow up or cripple power grids. Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 27 July 2024 If there were any doubts that the Olympics would be a target, they were dispelled before dawn on Friday, when saboteurs carried out attacks on high-speed train lines in France. Lee Hockstader, Washington Post, 26 July 2024 In 1942, little more than half a year after the United States entered the war in Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt hastily convened a military commission to try a handful of Nazi saboteurs who had landed on domestic shores. Lawrence Douglas, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2017 And Norwegian authorities warned that saboteurs could target companies delivering arms to Ukraine. David Ignatius, Washington Post, 21 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for saboteur 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'saboteur.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from saboter

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of saboteur was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near saboteur

Cite this Entry

“Saboteur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saboteur. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

saboteur

noun
sab·​o·​teur ˌsab-ə-ˈtər How to pronounce saboteur (audio)
-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r
: a person who performs sabotage

More from Merriam-Webster on saboteur

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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