mercenaries

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mercenaries" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to people who are hired to fight in another country's military or conflict. For example, "Many countries have used mercenaries to fight their wars in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The point is they have no business to be there Several hundred South African mercenaries are still active, according to one estimate, despite the threat of criminal prosecution back home.

The Guardian

The popular image of mercenaries as hard-drinking, womanising buccaneers is half a century out of date although, having grown up under white minority rule, they carry some of its baggage.

The Guardian

In 2011 Senussi was blamed for deaths in Benghazi as well as recruiting foreign mercenaries.

The Guardian

Related: South Africa's ageing white mercenaries who helped turn tide on Boko Haram In the capital Abuja on Monday, Mohammed Salihu, a supporter who fled his north-eastern home-state of Borno to escape Boko Haram's bombings last year, had one thing on his mind.

The Guardian

The trial included a taped confession in which he said he was a drug addict and had hired mercenaries for the attack.

The Guardian

"That may have been true of mercenaries in the sixties.

The Guardian

"They are mercenaries, whether they are training, skilling the Nigerian defence force, or scouting for them," she was quoted as saying.

The Guardian

Cilliers recently took part in an Afrikaans radio programme during which three or four mercenaries phoned in.

The Guardian

Security sources said the attackers' guerrilla tactics suggested that they were hired mercenaries from Nigeria's northern neighbours, Chad and Niger.

The Guardian

And its sensational, exponential popularity growth on the web is already achieving one of its stated objectives: to make Kony famous, to publicise this psychopathic warlord's grotesque crimes – kidnapping thousands of children and turning them into mercenaries, butchers and rapists.

The Guardian

Mann, an Eton-educated former SAS officer, was arrested in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2004 with dozens of mercenaries when their private plane landed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mercenaries" when referring to individuals or groups explicitly motivated by financial gain in military conflicts, rather than soldiers driven by national loyalty or ideology.

Common error

Avoid using "mercenaries" and "soldiers of fortune" interchangeably without considering the context; the former often implies a more negative connotation, while the latter can sometimes carry a romantic or adventurous tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mercenaries" is as a plural noun. It refers to a group of individuals who are hired to participate in military conflicts. Ludwig provides many examples from news media, demonstrating its role in describing contemporary geopolitical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mercenaries" functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting individuals hired for military conflicts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, the word can carry negative connotations. When using "mercenaries", it is important to consider the specific context, as well as its connotations, and to differentiate it from related terms like "soldiers of fortune". Ludwig's extensive examples also show how "mercenaries" is used to describe or analyze conflicts. The related terms provided offer alternative ways to describe these individuals based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soldiers of fortune

Emphasizes the adventurous and opportunistic nature of the individuals.

paid fighters

A straightforward description of individuals who fight for payment.

hired guns

Highlights the fact that these individuals are employed for their skills, often in a negative context.

combatants for hire

Emphasizes the commercial aspect of their involvement in conflict.

private military contractors

More formal term referring to companies providing military or security services.

foreign legionnaires

Specifically refers to members of the French Foreign Legion or similar foreign military units.

contract soldiers

Focuses on the contractual agreement under which these individuals serve.

professional soldiers

Highlights the professional aspect of their military involvement.

auxiliary troops

Refers to troops that support the main army, often of foreign origin.

irregular forces

Describes military groups that are not part of a regular army.

FAQs

How to use "mercenaries" in a sentence?

You can use "mercenaries" to describe foreign fighters hired for military conflicts, for example: "The government was accused of employing "foreign mercenaries" to suppress the rebellion."

What's the difference between "mercenaries" and "soldiers of fortune"?

"Mercenaries" often refers to individuals primarily motivated by financial gain, while "soldiers of fortune" might also include those seeking adventure or a cause, even if they are paid.

Which is correct, "mercenaries" or "mercenary soldiers"?

Both are correct, but "mercenaries" is more concise. "Mercenary soldiers" is more descriptive but can be redundant since the term "mercenary" already implies a soldier.

Are all foreign fighters considered "mercenaries"?

No, not all foreign fighters are "mercenaries". The key distinction is the primary motivation: "mercenaries" are primarily driven by financial compensation, while other foreign fighters may be motivated by ideology, loyalty, or other factors.