as in greedy
having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions
they were a mercenary couple, who defined themselves not by what they were but by what they owned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of mercenary
These mercenary-force ICE clowns are traitors to the country and the Constitution.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Are there any mercenary DEs out there the Niners would consider calling for the playoff run?
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
In The Nowhere Man, Lukas (Khoza), a former Special Forces mercenary crippled by PTSD, has turned his back on his violent past and is operating as a junk collector on the streets of Johannesburg.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
As for the fifth dimension, China’s power is having a corrosive effect on democracies, including in the United States, which has clumsily adopted measures that resemble the CCP’s mercenary mercantilism.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mercenary
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Are there any mercenary DEs out there the Niners would consider calling for the playoff run?
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
In The Nowhere Man, Lukas (Khoza), a former Special Forces mercenary crippled by PTSD, has turned his back on his violent past and is operating as a junk collector on the streets of Johannesburg.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
As for the fifth dimension, China’s power is having a corrosive effect on democracies, including in the United States, which has clumsily adopted measures that resemble the CCP’s mercenary mercantilism.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mercenary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercenary
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, buying a legitimate one to replace what’s been stolen can cost five, 10, or even 20 times that if your dealer’s service department is especially greedy, which is a big part of the problem here.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Their false claims about getting financially fleeced by Uncle Sam were fueled by a rather sophisticated, albeit deceitful and shameful lobbying campaign, sponsored by greedy gadflies out to make a quick buck.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Thousands of fans huddled against the cold during one election rally in Tokyo last week, all eager for a glimpse of Takaichi.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This is one of the Tex-Mex restaurants that has welcomed celebrities eager to try traditional Texas dishes.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Harlan has an avaricious family, each member of which has something to gain from his death.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
What Netanyahu wants is not this peace deal or avaricious annexations, but to stay in power.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
L’Oréal, which was highly acquisitive in 2025, with deals to purchase Kering Beauty, Medik8 and ColorWow, as well as an additional 10 percent stake in Galderma, among other transactions, no doubt will continue enriching its portfolio in the new year.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Paramount Skydance completed its merger last year, and since then CEO David Ellison has been acquisitive.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mercenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercenary. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
