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.
Police suspected both pranksters and international saboteurs, with public concerns about possible Russian involvement, Reuters reported. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Simon explored tensions between disbelief and faith, envisioned the Lord as both guardian and saboteur, and seldom arrived at definitive answers to his probing thoughts. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 The intelligence service also warned that saboteurs may impersonate employees of groups like the Red Cross or United Nations. Eve Sampson, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Downing Sugary Beverages All Day Your morning coffee isn’t the only blood sugar saboteur—sipping on sodas, chocolate milk, and fruit juices throughout the day can also spike your glucose. Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Saboteur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saboteur. Accessed 30 Jun. 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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