strikebreaker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “strikebreaker” mean?
A person who works or is employed in place of workers who are on strike, thereby undermining the strike's effectiveness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who works or is employed in place of workers who are on strike, thereby undermining the strike's effectiveness.
More broadly, a person or force that subverts a collective action of protest or resistance. In historical contexts, can refer to individuals, groups (e.g., private security forces), or mechanisms used to disrupt industrial action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties with identical meaning. Historical contexts may differ: in the US, 'Pinkertons' were infamous strikebreakers; in the UK, references might be to specific historical disputes or 'blacklegs' (a more informal British synonym).
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both dialects when used in a labour context.
Frequency
Frequency of use is tied to industrial relations news in both regions. The synonymous term 'scab' is more common in informal speech in both countries.
Grammar
How to Use “strikebreaker” in a Sentence
The union denounced the [strikebreakers].The company hired [strikebreakers] to keep the factory running.He was labelled a [strikebreaker] for crossing the picket line.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strikebreaker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agency was accused of strikebreaking in the 1980s.
- They used legal tactics to strikebreak.
American English
- The company hired a firm known for strikebreaking.
- Legislation was passed to limit strikebreaking activities.
adjective
British English
- The strikebreaking firm faced widespread criticism.
- He was involved in strikebreaking activities.
American English
- They employed strikebreaking tactics to resume operations.
- The strikebreaking legislation was controversial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically in reports on industrial disputes, often highlighting tension between management and labour.
Academic
Found in historical, sociological, and industrial relations texts analysing labour movements, union strategies, and class conflict.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing current or historical strikes. More likely in communities with strong union ties.
Technical
A defined term in labour law and industrial relations, referring to individuals who work during a strike, regardless of their motives or employment status.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strikebreaker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strikebreaker”
- Misspelling as 'strike breaker' or 'strike-breaker' (the closed compound 'strikebreaker' is standard).
- Confusing with 'strike leader' or 'organizer' (the antonym).
- Using in a positive or neutral context without acknowledging its strong negative charge in labour discourse.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the context of labour relations, yes, it carries a strongly negative connotation from the perspective of the strikers and their supporters. Neutral parties like journalists or academics may use the term descriptively, but it is inherently critical.
They can refer to the same person, but 'replacement worker' is a more neutral, often managerial or legal term. 'Strikebreaker' emphasises the act of undermining the strike and carries a judgement of betrayal. Choosing one term over the other often reveals the speaker's stance.
Rarely, but it can be used metaphorically to describe someone who undermines any collective action or boycott. For example, 'She was called a strikebreaker for shopping at the store we were boycotting.' This extends the core concept of breaking solidarity.
Legality varies significantly by country and jurisdiction. In some places, hiring permanent replacements for strikers is legal; in others, it is restricted or illegal. The term 'strikebreaker' describes a role, not its legal status, which is a complex area of labour law.
A person who works or is employed in place of workers who are on strike, thereby undermining the strike's effectiveness.
Strikebreaker is usually formal, academic, journalistic, historical in register.
Strikebreaker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrʌɪkˌbreɪkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪkˌbreɪkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to cross the picket line (describes the action of a strikebreaker)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BREAKing a STRIKE. The word itself defines the action – someone who breaks (disrupts/ends) a strike by working.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STRIKE IS A UNIFIED BARRIER/WALL; a STRIKEBREAKER IS A BREACH IN THAT WALL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common, strongly pejorative synonym for 'strikebreaker'?