as in pirates
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 bandits
Police arrested one of four snowball bandits caught on camera clobbering the cops with snow.
—
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Traditional western dramas were more likely to depict vaqueros as bandits than hard-working ranch hands whose contributions were fundamental to the American West.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The bandits are those who help themselves and cause others a loss.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
The authentic Denver and Rio Grande train that has operated at Knott’s since 1952 boasts the highest crime rate in all of Orange County with the notorious Ghost Town bandits robbing every departure from the Calico Square depot.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Whiskey Row celebrates Prescott's Old West history, with saloons once occupied by outlaws and bandits.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
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 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
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Traditional western dramas were more likely to depict vaqueros as bandits than hard-working ranch hands whose contributions were fundamental to the American West.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The bandits are those who help themselves and cause others a loss.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
The authentic Denver and Rio Grande train that has operated at Knott’s since 1952 boasts the highest crime rate in all of Orange County with the notorious Ghost Town bandits robbing every departure from the Calico Square depot.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Whiskey Row celebrates Prescott's Old West history, with saloons once occupied by outlaws and bandits.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bandits
Noun
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The third, Thomas Jefferson, fought the Barbary pirates without a formal declaration.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
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The park also pointed out a Junior Ranger booklet's mention of female pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries dressing like men to hide among ship crews.—
Karin Brulliard,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Data brokers collect your personal information legitimately, while hackers and identity thieves don’t attempt legitimacy.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
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The thieves stole about $6,000 from the pizzeria.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bandits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bandits. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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