sabotage

American  

[sab-uh-tahzh, sab-uh-tahzh] / ˈsæb əˌtɑʒ, ˌsæb əˈtɑʒ /

noun

1. any underhand interference with production, work, etc., in a plant, factory, etc., as by enemy agents during wartime or by employees during a trade dispute.

2. any undermining of a cause.

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verb (used with object)

sabotaged, sabotaging

1. to injure or attack by sabotage.

   Synonyms:

   cripple, vandalize, disable

sabotage British  

/ ˈsæbəˌtɑːʒ /

noun

1. the deliberate destruction, disruption, or damage of equipment, a public service, etc, as by enemy agents, dissatisfied employees, etc

2. any similar action or behaviour

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verb

1. (tr) to destroy, damage, or disrupt, esp by secret means

Other Word Forms

• unsabotaged adjective

Etymology

Origin of sabotage

First recorded in 1865–70; from French, from sabot(er) “to botch,” originally, “to harry, shake up, strike” (verb derivative of sabot sabot ) + -age -age

Example Sentences

In the eastern city of Debrecen, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky warned that the city could be a target for "hybrid operations" such as sabotage.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Ten suspects were arrested who "admitted during the investigation their links to the Revolutionary Guards and having been instructed to conduct espionage and sabotage activities," the nation's official press agency said.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

In 2025 Germany recorded 320 sabotage attempts, though “clear attribution remains challenging because the perpetrators are rarely identified,” the report says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

The underwater cables that keep it connected to the internet are susceptible to sabotage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

In addition to teaching, König worked in a laboratory in Berlin, where he was busy creating new sabotage equipment.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• cripple
• destroy
• disrupt
• hamper
• hinder
• obstruct
• subvert
• torpedo
• undermine
• vandalize
• wreck