mercs
Soldiers for pay
Mercs is informal shorthand for mercenaries—soldiers who fight for pay rather than loyalty to a nation or cause.
The term appears frequently in military contexts, video games, and action fiction: The compound was guarded by private mercs.
It can also refer to Mercedes-Benz vehicles, though this usage is less common.
Paid military contractor
- gun-for-hirePaid killer for clients
- hired gunPaid outside specialist
- contract killerPaid professional murderer
- security contractorHired civilian combat personnel
sellsword · foreign fighter · legionnaire · private soldier · hired muscle
Paid personal security agent
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- operativeCovert field agent
- hitmanProfessional paid murderer
- assassinPaid murderer of targets
bounty hunter · security guard · escort · protection detail · close protection · executive protection · armed escort
Enforceable written agreement
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- extractionAct of removing
- protectionGuarding against harm
- escort missionGuarding someone through danger
hostage rescue · asset recovery · site security · counterinsurgency · covert ops · black ops · reconnaissance · sabotage
Explosive launcher or fantasy genre
- respawnReappear after dying digitally
- loadoutSelected equipment configuration
- killstreakSequential eliminations without death
- team deathmatchGroup combat mode
Call of Duty · Resident Evil · multiplayer · NPC · raid boss · faction · loot
Russian private military company
- PMCCorporate military service provider
- security firmBusiness providing safety services
- defense contractorCompany producing military goods
- paramilitary groupArmed non-governmental fighting force
soldier of fortune
Paid military contractor
- gun-for-hirePaid killer for clients
- hired gunPaid outside specialist
- contract killerPaid professional murderer
security contractor · sellsword · foreign fighter · legionnaire · private soldier · hired muscle
bodyguard
Paid personal security agent
assassin · bounty hunter · security guard · escort · protection detail · close protection · executive protection · armed escort
contract
Enforceable written agreement
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- extractionAct of removing
- protectionGuarding against harm
escort mission · hostage rescue · asset recovery · site security · counterinsurgency · covert ops · black ops · reconnaissance · sabotage · infiltration
RPG
Explosive launcher or fantasy genre
- respawnReappear after dying digitally
- loadoutSelected equipment configuration
- killstreakSequential eliminations without death
team deathmatch · Call of Duty · Resident Evil · multiplayer · NPC · raid boss · faction · loot
Wagner Group
Russian private military company
- PMCCorporate military service provider
- security firmBusiness providing safety services
- defense contractorCompany producing military goods
mercspatriots
Devoted homeland supporters
volunteers · idealists · freedom fighters · crusaders · true believers
mercsenlisted soldiers
Military personnel below officers
regular army · servicemen · military personnel · regulars · standing army
mercsheroes
Admired courageous figures
defenders · liberators · protectors · guardians · peacekeepers
- The Merchant of VeniceCourtroom drama about debt
- traveling merchantMobile seller of wares
- merchant marineCivilian ships for commerce
- merchant shipsVessels for transporting goods
- fan merchandiseBranded goods for enthusiasts
- Merchant of VeniceShakespearean comedy about debt
commerce, merchant, commercial, merchandise, mercenary, merchandising, mercantile, commercialize, mercenaries