raider

noun

raid·​er ˈrā-dər 

: one that raids: such as

a

: a fast lightly armed ship operating against merchant shipping

b

: a soldier specially trained for close-range fighting

c

: one that attempts a usually hostile takeover of a business corporation

corporate raiders

Synonyms of raider

• invader

Examples of raider in a Sentence

The village needs protection from enemy raiders.

Raiders had emptied the tomb of treasure.

He made his fortune as a corporate raider.

Recent Examples on the Web

The series chronicles the rise of Norse raiders Erik Bloodaxe (Xavier Molyneux) and his wife Gunnhild, Mother of Kings (Jessica Madsen). — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Frank and Jesse James rode with them as the raiders killed 150 to 200 men and boys and burned down nearly every business on Massachusetts Street, as well as dozens of homes. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

The preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons is days away, roster cuts are next Sunday, and the season opener at the Las Vegas raiders is three weeks away. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Though the tomb raiders have been arrested, the total number of robberies is still unclear. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for raider

• aider
• fader
• grader
• nadir
• schrader
• seder
• shader
• trader
• crusader
• invader
• persuader

Legal Definition

raider

noun

raid·​er

: one that attempts a usually hostile takeover of a business corporation compare white knight