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

For example, the Fairmont the Palm hotel in Dubai that was set ablaze early in the war was insured against terrorism and sabotage, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Him sabotaging my spot at Sunridge by pretending to be me was the last straw.

From Literature

The now-declassified CIA report cited a range of potential threats to crude-oil shipments through the strait, from sea mines to sabotage from tiny wooden craft known as dhows.

From The Wall Street Journal

Internet arrives via subsea cables susceptible to sabotage and most energy is imported, two areas where diversification is a long-term goal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most cases of sabotage were not reported in our controlled press, but rumors abounded.

From Literature

Related Words

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