Definition

A person who is employed to take the place of workers who are on strike, often to keep a business running during the strike.

Example

The company hired strikebreakers to continue operations while the workers protested for better wages.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new strikebreaker at the factory?

Yeah, I heard they brought someone in to keep things running.

It's kind of controversial, though, right?

Definitely, some workers are really upset about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Strikebreaker → It is formed from "strike" (from Old English *strican*, meaning to hit or strike) and "breaker" (from Old English *brecan*, meaning to break). A strikebreaker is someone who breaks a strike, typically by working during a labor dispute.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'hits' ('strike') against the action of 'breaking' ('breaker') a strike — that's why a strikebreaker is someone who works when others are on strike.

Visually Confused Words