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saboteur

noun

/ˌsæb əˈtɜr/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of saboteur

An individual who engages in acts of sabotage.
"The saboteur tampered with the computer system, leading to a major security breach."

Detailed meaning of saboteur

The term saboteur is typically used to describe a person who deliberately disrupts, damages, or obstructs the smooth functioning of systems, processes, or organizations. Saboteurs often carry out their actions with the intention of causing harm, chaos, or the failure of a particular endeavor. They employ various means such as subversion, destruction, or manipulation to achieve their goals, which can range from personal vendettas to ideological or political motives. Saboteurs can be found in different contexts, including warfare, industrial disputes, espionage, and even everyday life, where they seek to undermine stability, progress, or success. Identifying and neutralizing saboteurs requires vigilance, security measures, and effective countermeasures to protect against their disruptive activities.

Example sentences containing saboteur

1. The saboteur sneaked into the factory under the cover of darkness.
2. The intelligence agency suspected that a saboteur had infiltrated their ranks.
3. The saboteur planted a bomb in the train station, causing widespread panic.
4. The company suffered significant losses due to the actions of a saboteur within their organization.
5. The police apprehended the saboteur just moments before they could detonate the explosives.
6. The military deployed a specialized team to counter the threat posed by enemy saboteurs.

History and etymology of saboteur

The term 'saboteur' has an intriguing etymology that traces its origins to the French language. It derives from the French word 'saboter,' which literally means 'to sabotage' or 'to deliberately damage or obstruct.' The word 'saboter' itself has an interesting history, as it is believed to have its roots in the word 'sabot,' which means a wooden shoe or clog in French. During the Industrial Revolution, disgruntled workers in France were known to throw their sabots into the machinery of factories as a form of protest and sabotage. Over time, the term 'saboteur' evolved to describe individuals who engaged in acts of deliberate disruption and destruction, giving rise to its modern usage in English to denote someone who undermines or obstructs a cause, project, or organization through covert or subversive means.

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Further usage examples of saboteur

1. The sabotage committed by the saboteur delayed the construction project by several months.
2. The government issued a reward for any information leading to the capture of the saboteur.
3. The saboteur disguised themselves as a maintenance worker to gain access to sensitive areas.
4. The saboteur's actions endangered the lives of innocent civilians.
5. The investigation revealed that the saboteur had been acting alone, without any accomplices.
6. The sabotage attempts by the saboteur were thwarted thanks to the implementation of enhanced security measures.
7. The saboteur left behind a trail of evidence, allowing the authorities to identify and apprehend them.
8. The saboteur's motives remained unclear, leaving investigators puzzled as to their true intentions.
9. The cunning saboteur disrupted the enemy's communication lines.
10. A suspected saboteur was caught tampering with the factory equipment.
11. The saboteur's actions plunged the city into chaos.
12. Authorities launched a manhunt to apprehend the saboteur.
13. The undercover agent infiltrated the saboteur's secret network.
14. The saboteur's motives remained a mystery to investigators.
15. The saboteur's attempt to derail the train was thwarted in time.
16. The saboteur's acts of vandalism left a trail of destruction.
17. A skilled saboteur can cause significant damage with subtlety.
18. The saboteur's sabotage disrupted the power grid.
19. The saboteur's mission was to undermine national security.
20. The saboteur's actions jeopardized the peace negotiations.
21. The saboteur had a reputation for evading capture.
22. The authorities worked tirelessly to identify the saboteur.
23. The saboteur's expertise lay in sabotaging industrial equipment.
24. The saboteur's deeds were seen as acts of terrorism.
25. The saboteur's attacks raised concerns about safety.
26. The saboteur's actions had far-reaching consequences.
27. The saboteur's motives were finally revealed through investigation.
28. The saboteur's capture brought relief to the worried community.