I. ˈsabəˌtä]zh, -tȧ] sometimes ]j or ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from saboter to botch, do in a clumsy or slipshod way, sabotage (from sabot ) + -age
1. : malicious destruction of or damage to property with the intention of injuring a business or impairing the economic system or weakening a government or nation in time of war or national emergency
a synthetic resin to be used for the sabotage of their gasoline supplies in the event the Germans were able to invade Britain — Current Biography
as
a. : destruction of property (as tools of production or materials) or deliberate slowing down of work or interference with production in any way during a labor dispute
b. : the crime in time of war or declared national emergency of willfully injuring or obstructing the United States or any nation associated with it in preparing for or carrying on war or national defense
2. : willful effort by indirect means to hinder, prevent, undo, or discredit (as a plan or activity) : deliberate subversion
sabotage of the project by disgruntled officials
broadly : any act or process tending to hamper or hurt
if a racing man can cruise in his boat, if the cruising bug is given a chance to bite him, his racing career is in serious danger of sabotage — Peter Heaton
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to practice sabotage on : wreck , destroy , damage
in a war between rival cab companies … cabs are sabotaged and riders kidnapped — TV Guide
had sought to sabotage the meeting by sending misleading telegrams to members — Call