Definition

A person who deliberately damages or destroys something, especially to hinder a process or organization.

Example

The saboteur was caught trying to disrupt the factory's production line.

Conversation

Did you hear about the project delays?

Yeah, I heard there might be a saboteur in the team.

That's so frustrating! Who would do something like that?

I don't know, but it really disrupts our work.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Saboteur** → The word originates from French *saboteur*, which comes from *sabot* (meaning wooden shoe or clog) and the suffix *-eur* (indicating a person who performs an action). The term originally referred to workers who would damage machinery by throwing their wooden shoes into it, thus a saboteur is someone who deliberately causes destruction or disruption.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person who disrupts or damages something by throwing in their 'wooden shoe' — that's how a saboteur causes trouble.

Visually Confused Words