soldier of fortune
noun phrase
: one who follows a military career wherever there is promise of profit, adventure, or pleasure
Examples of soldier of fortune in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The case centered on a lurid plot in which prosecutors said a transnational crime lord, Paul LeRoux, tasked Mr. Samia, who was then working for him as a soldier of fortune, and two other men with killing Catherine Lee, a real estate broker who Mr. LeRoux believed had stolen from him.
—
Charlie Savage, New York Times, 23 June 2023
Charlie Savage, New York Times, 23 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soldier of fortune.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1661, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of soldier of fortune was
in 1661
Dictionary Entries Near soldier of fortune
Cite this Entry
“Soldier of fortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soldier%20of%20fortune. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
soldier of fortune
: one who follows a military career wherever there is promise of profit, adventure, or pleasure
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share