sabotage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sabotage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of deliberately destroying, damaging, or obstructing something, often in a covert manner. Example: "The competitor attempted to sabotage our marketing campaign by spreading false information about our product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This," he added, "was sabotage: cables don't cut themselves".

The Guardian - Sport

"To sabotage", as he points out, can have both a practical and a figurative meaning.

The Guardian - Opinion

In April last year, Japan announced its whaling haul from the Southern Ocean was at a record low because of "unforgivable sabotage" by activists from the Sea Shepherd environmental group.

The Guardian

2012 was a year in which Labour mastered the arts of opposition, including cynical and opportunistic opposition, as when it helped Conservative rebels to sabotage reform of the Lords and combined with Tory Euro-haters to defeat the government over the European budget.

The Guardian - Opinion

We cannot possibly claim to be taking wholehearted climate action while simultaneously investing in the sabotage of climate science.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Intolerable sabotage" ran the headline on the front of this morning's Marca.

The Guardian - Sport

As for the delegate of the Madrid government, she was urging caution: there was no proof yet that this was sabotage and no formal word from the police.

The Guardian - Sport

It's also, incidentally, the part that will make your house stink so much that your partner will accuse you of deliberately attempting to sabotage their precious time off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For nearly 30 years it has worked to deliberately confuse the public, slander scientists, and sabotage science.

The Guardian - Opinion

The White House has defused repeated threats of legislation it believed could weaken its hand or sabotage negotiations.

The Guardian

This week, 139 Morsi supporters were sentenced to two years in prison for rioting and sabotage.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sabotage" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of destruction or obstruction aimed at weakening something or preventing its success. The word choice signals intent and malice.

Common error

Avoid using "sabotage" when describing accidental or unintentional errors. "Sabotage" implies a deliberate and malicious intent, not just a simple mistake or oversight.

Linguistic Context

The word "sabotage" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to the act of deliberately destroying or damaging something, or the act itself. The examples show its usage in describing both actions and intent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sabotage" is widely used in English to describe deliberate actions aimed at undermining or destroying something. As Ludwig AI shows, it functions both as a noun and a verb, denoting intentional acts of disruption. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and formal business settings. To avoid misusing the term, remember that "sabotage" implies a deliberate and malicious intent, not just a simple mistake. While synonyms like "undermine" or "disrupt" exist, "sabotage" emphasizes the intentionality and potential harm of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undermine

Implies weakening something gradually or insidiously.

subvert

Suggests an attempt to overthrow or corrupt an established system.

disrupt

Focuses on interrupting or disturbing the normal course of something.

obstruct

Highlights the act of blocking or hindering progress.

hamper

Emphasizes impeding or slowing down something.

cripple

Implies severely damaging or weakening something.

wreck

Suggests complete destruction or ruin.

derail

Focuses on causing something to go off course or fail.

scupper

Means to deliberately cause something to fail.

torpedo

Implies a sudden and decisive action to destroy or ruin something.

FAQs

How to use "sabotage" in a sentence?

"Sabotage" can be used as both a noun and a verb. For example: "The railway line had been "sabotaged" by enemy commandos" (verb). "It was an act of "sabotage"" (noun).

What can I say instead of "sabotage"?

You can use alternatives like "undermine", "subvert", or "disrupt", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sabotage" or "vandalism"?

"Sabotage" implies a deliberate action to weaken or destroy something, especially for political or military advantage. "Vandalism"/s/vandalism, on the other hand, refers to the willful destruction or damage of property, often without a specific strategic goal.

What's the difference between "sabotage" and "undermine"?

"Sabotage" involves direct and often destructive actions, while "undermine" suggests a more subtle and gradual weakening of something. Sabotage is more overt and aggressive.