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
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Recent Examples of mercenary
Alekseyev, 64, played a prominent role during the mutiny by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in the summer of 2023.
—
Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2023, Alekseyev was sent by the Russian military to negotiate with Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner private mercenary group, during the Wagner group’s mutiny.
—Cnn's Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
At the time Alekseyev, was filmed sitting with Prigozhin in a Russian military compound taken over by Wagner, trying to persuade the mercenary chief to call off his troops.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The correct attitude toward this stuff is probably a cautious cynicism—knowing bad actors will continue to milk AI for the most mercenary purposes, while not ruling out the chance for bizarre genius.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mercenary
Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2023, Alekseyev was sent by the Russian military to negotiate with Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner private mercenary group, during the Wagner group’s mutiny.
—Cnn's Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
At the time Alekseyev, was filmed sitting with Prigozhin in a Russian military compound taken over by Wagner, trying to persuade the mercenary chief to call off his troops.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The correct attitude toward this stuff is probably a cautious cynicism—knowing bad actors will continue to milk AI for the most mercenary purposes, while not ruling out the chance for bizarre genius.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mercenary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercenary
Adjective
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The administration would like the public to believe these buildings are deteriorating because greedy landlords refuse to reinvest rent revenue.—
Kenny Burgos,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Dummymanders also happen when a party has a great deal of control and gets greedy, the journalist Alan Greenblatt wrote last year.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Middle East has a strong contingent of foreign workers, many from Asia – and many of them were just as eager to leave the region as short-term visitors.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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Now the nominees and other attendees work with armies of stylists who connect them to high profile designers that are eager to have their work seen on as big of a stage as the Oscars red carpet.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Henwick’s Ruth, opposite Margaret Qualley’s avaricious Julia, represent a fork in the road for Becket.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Feb. 2026
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Harlan has an avaricious family, each member of which has something to gain from his death.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As Canva reckons with dramatic changes in the market, the design software vendor is getting acquisitive.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Mercenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercenary. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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