mercenariness

mercenariness

A person's mercenariness is evident when they choose a job solely for its high salary.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Motivation by financial gain: "mercenariness" refers to the quality of being motivated primarily or exclusively by a desire for money or material reward, often at the expense of ethical considerations or personal relationships.
Usage Examples
  • (His motivation was purely financial, disregarding loyalty.)
  • (The quality of being driven by money in personal relationships.)
  • (A focus on monetary gain that ignores moral concerns.)
Advanced Usage

  • "mercenariness of spirit": a phrase describing a person's deeply rooted tendency to act for money rather than principle.

    • The mercenariness of spirit in the corporate world often leads to short-sighted decisions. (A pervasive attitude that values profit above all else.)

  • "to accuse of mercenariness": to charge someone with acting solely for financial reasons.

    • The artist was accused of mercenariness after selling his paintings to the highest bidder without regard for their artistic value. (A claim that the artist prioritised money over art.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Mercenary (adj): working or done for payment only; motivated by a desire for money.

    • He had a mercenary attitude towards the job, caring only about the salary. (He was interested only in financial reward.)

  • Mercenary (n): a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army; also, a person who acts solely for money.

    • The mercenary fought for whichever side paid the most. (A soldier hired for pay.)

  • Mercenarily (adv): in a manner motivated by money.

    • She mercenarily agreed to the deal, ignoring the ethical implications. (She acted solely for the financial benefit.)
Synonyms
  • Greed: an excessive desire for wealth or material possessions.
  • Venality: the quality of being open to bribery or corruption; willingness to act dishonestly for money.
  • Avidity: intense eagerness, especially for money or gain.
Related Idioms

  • "for the love of money": acting out of a desire for financial gain, often used to imply mercenariness.

    • He did everything for the love of money, never for friendship. (His actions were driven by greed.)

  • "to sell one's soul": to sacrifice principles for material gain, strongly related to mercenariness.

    • She sold her soul to the corporation, accepting any job for a high salary. (She abandoned ethics for money.)