noun / verb
sabotage
SAB-uh-tahzh/sˈæbʌtˌɑʒ/
Deliberate interference intended to cause damage or failure.
She sabotages the bicycle by slashing its tire.
Etymology
The wooden shoe lies behind a verb meaning “walk noisily,” then “bungle.” Sabotage developed from bungling into deliberate damage, probably figuratively rather than through literal use of shoes to wreck machinery.
In context
a tactical team will be deployed to sabotage the Machinery present and disable the site
More examples
- The investigation found evidence of deliberate sabotage.
- Her repeated interruptions sabotaged the discussion.
- The vandals sabotaged the irrigation system.
Forms
sabotage · sabotages · sabotaged · sabotaging
saboteur noun — a person who deliberately damages or disrupts something
Similar words
- vandalism
- Emphasizes destructive damage, not necessarily an aim to disrupt operations.
- undermine
- Often suggests gradual weakening rather than direct destructive interference.