What does "sabotage" mean?

1. (deliberate damage or disruption) the act of damaging equipment or ruining a plan on purpose so that it fails. 2. (to ruin something on purpose) to damage something or stop a process on purpose so it does not work.

How do you use "sabotage"?

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept. A transitive verb that always requires a direct object.

sabotage

n. · v.

US //ˈsæbəˌtɑʒ// UK //sˈæbətˌɑːʒ// sab·o·tage

1 deliberate damage or disruption (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of damaging equipment or ruining a plan on purpose so that it fails.

the deliberate act of subverting, obstructing, or destroying something to prevent its success.

Example

The factory had to close for two days because of the sabotage of the main machines.

Example

The investigation revealed that the system failure was not a technical glitch but a calculated act of industrial sabotage by a rival firm.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept.
2 to ruin something on purpose (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to damage something or stop a process on purpose so it does not work.

to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something, especially for political or military advantage.

Example

He tried to sabotage my presentation by hiding my notes before the meeting.

Example

The rebels attempted to sabotage the supply lines to prevent the army from receiving fresh equipment during the winter months.

Usage

A transitive verb that always requires a direct object.

Origin

Unadapted borrowing from French sabotage.