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
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
There can be no doubt that in tax terms, America’s wealthiest families make out like bandits.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 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
After a bleak early life devoid of interactable non-player characters, Bethesda added a proper main quest and plenty of side missions built around settlers, bandits, and colorful groups that have been expanded with each content update.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The Sahel and western Nigeria are increasingly merging into a single, volatile theater, with JNIM, ISSP, ISWAP factions, and local bandits intensifying violence.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
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
There can be no doubt that in tax terms, America’s wealthiest families make out like bandits.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 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
After a bleak early life devoid of interactable non-player characters, Bethesda added a proper main quest and plenty of side missions built around settlers, bandits, and colorful groups that have been expanded with each content update.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The Sahel and western Nigeria are increasingly merging into a single, volatile theater, with JNIM, ISSP, ISWAP factions, and local bandits intensifying violence.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bandits
Noun
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Then there’s the scourge known as porch pirates.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Under the chandelier lights, actors dressed as Joan of Arc, pirates, and mythical beasts waltz over a celestial floor and crack jokes between takes.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That's how one homeowner said two thieves started his car on Palma Lane.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Masked thieves jumped out and used trash cans, crowbars and hammers to smash every showcase, Ramzy Tabello, the owner, told freelance news videographer OC Hawk.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bandits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bandits. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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