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 bandits are those who help themselves and cause others a loss.
—
Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
The West African nation has been fighting an insurgency for more than a decade, with Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State of West Africa Province, in addition to several amorphous groups commonly referred to as bandits.
—Pelumi Salako, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
In the end, Al-Sufyani drove off the bandits, who only managed to grab two small packages.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 3 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
Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
The West African nation has been fighting an insurgency for more than a decade, with Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State of West Africa Province, in addition to several amorphous groups commonly referred to as bandits.
—Pelumi Salako, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
In the end, Al-Sufyani drove off the bandits, who only managed to grab two small packages.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 3 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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New data names the top ten worst states for porch pirates, with Rhode Island placing seventh.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
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Within hours, Matt is abducted by a gang of ruthless pirates led by Langbore (Copley).—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The heist wasn’t quite as movie‑made as the Louvre heist in October 2025, when four masked thieves pulled off a daylight robbery in just seven minutes, smashing display cases to steal eight pieces of France’s historic crown jewels.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
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Mar Vista resident Andrew Martin joined the councilmembers at their news conference after copper wire thieves left his neighborhood in the dark.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bandits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bandits. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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