mercenary UK /ˈmɜː.sə.nə.ɹi/US /ˈmɝ.sə.ˌnɛɹ.i/noun 3adjective 1forms 3 noun3 •A person employed to fight in an armed conflict who is not a member of the state or military group for which they are fighting and whose primary motivation is private gain. •(figurative) One hired to engage in a figurative battle, as a corporate takeover, a lawsuit, or a political campaign. •One motivated by gain, especially monetary.J. Argyrofylus, a mercenary Greek, who came to teach school in Italy, after the sacking of Constantinople by the Turks, used to maintain that Cicero understood neither Philosophy nor Greek — 1753 adjective1 •Motivated by personal gain.Success is never so interesting as struggle—not even to the successful, not even to the most mercenary forms of ambition. — 1932 formsmercenaries · more mercenary · most mercenary