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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before the computer age, saboteurs had trouble calibrating and controlling the effects of their actions. Thomas Rid, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2013 The deployment of roughly 10 NATO vessels under the Baltic Sentry mission is intended to deter acts of sabotage and enhance the likelihood of quickly intercepting any saboteurs, YLE reported. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 Allied officials say some of the ailing ships are doubling as low-tech saboteur vessels. David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025 The reality show challenges faithful contestants to identify a number of secret saboteurs among them in an effort to win a cash prize. Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for saboteur 

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 21 Feb. 2025.

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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