as in pirate
a criminal who attacks and steals from travelers and who is often a member of a group of criminals
They were two of the most famous bandits of the 19th century.
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Recent Examples of bandit
The epicenter of proliferation of these signs is Houston, which had been fighting these little bandits for years.
—
Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
The film’s narrative kicks into gear when the legendary sun-shooting archer vanishes during a mission to rescue the dying sun, prompting Chang Er to embark on a perilous journey to the moon’s dark side alongside an earthbound bandit who crash-lands into her world.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
The robbery lasted less than seven minutes, as the bandits used a truck with an extendable ladder to cut through a window on a second-floor balcony, according to police.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2025
In return, a lord provided his peasants with protection from bandits or invaders.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bandit
Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
The film’s narrative kicks into gear when the legendary sun-shooting archer vanishes during a mission to rescue the dying sun, prompting Chang Er to embark on a perilous journey to the moon’s dark side alongside an earthbound bandit who crash-lands into her world.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
The robbery lasted less than seven minutes, as the bandits used a truck with an extendable ladder to cut through a window on a second-floor balcony, according to police.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2025
In return, a lord provided his peasants with protection from bandits or invaders.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bandit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bandit
Noun
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The duo wore Patriots jerseys and hats, one a fluffy American flag design, and the other a hybrid between a pirates hat and a football.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Police in Commerce City are searching for a porch pirate who has been stealing packages from a Reunion neighborhood.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her life’s work was stolen early Monday when thieves swiped a shipping box containing many of her puppets from outside her Beachwood Canyon apartment.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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The story revolves around Davis, the sort of gentleman bandit who thoughtfully returns his victims’ cell phones before making his departure and who, in the grand tradition of cinematic thieves, is looking to get out of the business after that last big score.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bandit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bandit. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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