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

Explanation

Sabotage isn't very nice: It's when you ruin or disrupt something by messing up a part of it on purpose. Loosening the blades on your competitor's ice skates would definitely be considered sabotage. Sabotage comes from the French word saboter, which literally means “walk noisily.” That's funny, because the last thing you'd want to do when committing an act of sabotage is stomp around and get caught. It’s believed that sabotage came into use in 1910 as a noun, and then later in 1918 as a verb. Apparently, people only became so cruel in the last century or so.

Example Sentences

In his framing, any confirmation becomes a betrayal, and any reporting sabotage.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

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 • Mar. 21, 2026

Russia did not immediately respond, but has denied repeated accusations by Nato countries that its secret services are engaged in sabotage operations across Europe.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 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

“But you’ve gone along this whole time. You were on the train that brought us here. You weren’t exactly trying to sabotage the tracks.”

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

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