foot soldier

noun

1

: infantryman

2

: a person likened to an infantryman especially in doing active and usually unglamorous work in support of an organization or movement

foot soldiers in the war against drugs

Synonyms of foot soldier

• laborer
• worker

Examples of foot soldier in a Sentence

foot soldiers in the war against drugs

he's been a foot soldier for several environmental organizations over the years

Recent Examples on the Web

But the current Sinaloa turf war—la narcopandemia, locals call it—has created new categories of victims, far from the foot soldiers and hit men targeted in previous spasms of violence. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Before the whole scene of domestic bliss is cut short, Cruz and Josie discuss their looming irrelevance as human foot soldiers in a future of wars fought by machines, finding brief solace in each other’s out-of-uniform bodies. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2026

Getty Images Artillery used to be the biggest threat to foot soldiers, now most casualties are caused by drones. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

His mind for military strategy and his quiet but intense drive propelled him – a son of working-class Moroccan Jewish immigrants who grew up in the most remote corner of Israel – from foot soldier to army chief of staff. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

foot soldier

noun

: infantryman