mercantile
adjective
mer·can·tile
ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl 
-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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Mercantile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercantile. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mercantile
adjective
mer·can·tile
ˈmər-kən-ˌtēl
-ˌtīl
: of or relating to merchants, trade, or commerce
mercantile businesses
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