mercenary

adjective

Definition of mercenarynext
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

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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 Meanwhile, a mistaken identity twist has a mercenary nicknamed Not Metal Head Dave (LaKeith Stanfield) and a team of Danish scientists and security contractors hot on their heels. — Katie Walsh, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 When the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin rebelled against Putin, in 2023, the Wall Street Journal reported that then security council chief Nikolai Patrushev, age 75, orchestrated the plane crash that killed the rebel leader. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Now, with one-year mercenary players plus rapid roster turnover, the first game deters even the most addicted sports gambler. — Mac Engel july 28, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026 But after Richard’s death, his mercenary captain and right-hand man, the infamous Mercadier, had Basile flayed alive and hanged. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mercenary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercenary
  1. greedy
  2. avaricious
  3. eager
  4. acquisitive
Adjective
  • However, greedy jobs are mostly characterized by the unpredictability of when individuals are required to work.
    — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Through its own websites, the mysterious group has been portraying itself as vigilantes out to rein in greedy video game developers.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of greedy
Adjective
  • Played by a Colman Domingo who is done up to look the most wax figurine of them all in a shellacking of makeup, prosthetics, and colored contacts, Joe is always either giving an avaricious open-mouthed leer or a cold-eyed glare.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
  • There’s a quasi-heist theme to The Christophers, which revolves around an acclaimed artist (McKellen), who has long since stopped making new work, and his avaricious children (Gunning and Corden) who try to enlist Coel to complete some of their dad’s unfinished paintings.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of avaricious
Adjective
  • Time will tell how immediate Kroenke’s impact will be, though the Angels are eager to find out.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But lawmakers of both parties are eager to avoid another impasse and would prefer to get back to their districts to campaign before the election.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • But for an acquisitive current occupant of the White House, the oldest continuously active musical organization hasn’t seemed enough.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • All this acquisitive activity has turned the majority of physicians into employees rather than independent operators.
    — Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of acquisitive

Browse Nearby Words

mercenariness
mercenary
merchandise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mercenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercenary. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mercenary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mercenary

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