Soldier of fortune, briefly WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh /

Crossword Answer

1 ? M
2 ? E
3 ? R
4 ? C
light icon Hint

Interactive Solver for Soldier of fortune, briefly Crossword Clue

Drag letters from the pool into “Your Answer”, then reorder them to match the solution.

Your Answer 4 Letter
    Current guess:
    Letter Pool
      Need a helpful nudge?

      Unlock the puzzle's secrets with Daze's progressive hints!

      Hint 1

      hint
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      Think of a warrior who fights not for king or country, but for coin.

      Hint 2

      meaning
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      ???? is a colloquial abbreviation for a mercenary, a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.

      Hint 3

      explanation
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      The clue refers to a 'soldier of fortune,' which is a mercenary, someone who fights for money rather than a cause. 'Briefly' indicates that the answer is a shortened form of the word 'mercenary,' which is '????.'

      Hint 4

      another clue
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      Hired soldier, in slang, Gun for hire, Windy City exchange, in brief, Chicago exchange, familiarly, Chicago exchange, for short

      Clue Analysis

      The clue “Soldier of fortune, briefly” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated August 27 2025, the definitive 4-letter answer is: MERC.

      Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

      Finished the WSJ Puzzle? Check out this link for future puzzles:

      Play the Official Game

      Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

      At Daze Puzzle, we understand that every clue is a puzzle within a larger puzzle. Our team of dedicated human experts and puzzle lovers solves these challenges daily to help you succeed. Below, we answer common questions about this specific clue.

      Soldier of fortune, briefly Crossword Clue