mercantile

adjective

mer·​can·​tile ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl How to pronounce mercantile (audio)
-ˌtī(-ə)l
1
: of or relating to merchants or trading
mercantile families
mercantile businesses
2
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of mercantilism
mercantile system

Examples of mercantile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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With this and a variety of more mercantile motives in mind, the U.S. made a series of military interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean. William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025 Trump’s hard-nosed approach signals a more mercantile approach to Ukraine, which could complicate efforts to rebuild the country. Grady McGregor, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 But the work is reborn whenever Robert Lesser shuffles in as Morry the tailor, whose compassion for Fender overrides his mercantile sense. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024 Art & commerce Designers this season appeared to sit in two camps: Those who adopted a more mercantile mindset — perhaps in response to concerns around another recession — and those who seemingly through caution to the wind and chose art over commerce. Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for mercantile

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian, from mercante merchant, from Latin mercant-, mercans, from present participle of mercari to trade — more at market

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mercantile was in 1638

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mercantile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercantile. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

mercantile

adjective
mer·​can·​tile ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl How to pronounce mercantile (audio)
-ˌtīl
: of or relating to merchants, trade, or commerce
mercantile businesses

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