merchant of death

American  

noun

1. a company, nation, or person that sells military arms on the international market, usually to the highest bidder and without scruple or regard for political ramifications.

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Etymology

Origin of merchant of death

Phrase popularized by the book Merchants of Death (1934) by U.S. writers Helmut C. Engelbrecht (1895–1939) and Frank C. Hanighen (1899–1964)

Example Sentences

Russia is hopeful it can agree a prisoner swap with the US that would include infamous arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the merchant of death.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2022

Du Pont seemed to be scared that it would once again be tabbed a "merchant of death."

From Time Magazine Archive

And yet this merchant of death is an apostle of life.

From Time Magazine Archive

Example: "With his nostrils distended by the provocative odor from 600 half-barrels of pistol powder, which he had foresightedly ordered from London, Thomas now turned into a full-fledged, fire-eating merchant of death."

From Time Magazine Archive

For its heavy military business in the '30s, Vickers was tagged a "merchant of death."

From Time Magazine Archive