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sabotage

SAB-uh-tahzh /ˈsæbətɑːʒ/

nounverbB2SATTOEFLIELTS

neutralformal

(Noun) Deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage. (Verb) To deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something).

Implies a clandestine and malicious act of disruption or destruction, often targeting machinery, infrastructure, or operations, to weaken an enemy or opponent.

The story behind the word. The word 'sabotage' comes from the French word 'sabot,' which means 'wooden shoe.' The popular (though possibly apocryphal) story is that disgruntled workers in early industrial France would throw their wooden shoes into machinery to damage it and slow down production. While the exact origin is debated, the term emerged in the late 19th century to describe malicious damage or obstruction, particularly by workers.

Word relationships

vandalism: Vandalism is destructive behavior, often without a clear political motive; sabotage is deliberate destruction for strategic advantage.
disrupt: Disrupt means to interrupt; sabotage is a more severe form of disruption involving destruction or damage.

assist: To help or aid.
support: To give approval, comfort, or encouragement to.

Commonly confused with

treason: Treason is betraying one's country; sabotage is an act of destruction, which could be part of treason but isn't the same thing.

Word family

saboteur (noun): A person who commits sabotage.

Collocations

act of sabotage
industrial sabotage
economic sabotage
sabotage efforts

Example sentences

"Investigators suspected industrial sabotage after a critical piece of factory equipment was found irreparably damaged." Reporting on industrial espionage.
"Resistance fighters would often sabotage railway lines and communication networks to hinder enemy movements." In a historical account of wartime resistance.

Memory hook

Imagine workers throwing their 'SABOT' (wooden shoes) into machines to damage them. That's 'SABOTAGE'! SABOT-shoe damage

When not to use

Do not use 'sabotage' for accidental damage or simple incompetence. It implies intentional, often covert, destructive action.

Fun facts

The connection between 'sabot' (wooden shoe) and 'sabotage' is a popular etymological tale, though some linguists suggest the term might have evolved from 'saboter,' meaning 'to botch' or 'to bungle,' which also relates to clumsy work or destruction.