as in pirates
someone who engages in robbery of ships at sea
no one knows the fate of the corsair's treasure-filled ship
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Recent Examples of corsairs
After the Revolutionary War, the United States maintained no standing fleet, but attacks by the Barbary pirates—corsairs based in North Africa who preyed on American merchant ships and took sailors ransom—drove Congress to reestablish a navy in the 1790s.
—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Acknowledging burdens and consequences In the 1790s, the United States faced a world ruled by corsairs and kings.
—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Apple has provided some guilty pleasure companion reading for fans of Vince Gilligan‘s new apocalyptic drama Pluribus, full of proud, haughty pirates corsairs and Mandovian spicefruit.
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Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Set in 1492, the series follows Sara, the defiant daughter of Granada’s chief Rabbi, exiled during Spain’s expulsion of its Jewish population and captured by Ottoman corsairs (‘Korsan’ in Turkish).
—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Acknowledging burdens and consequences In the 1790s, the United States faced a world ruled by corsairs and kings.
—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Apple has provided some guilty pleasure companion reading for fans of Vince Gilligan‘s new apocalyptic drama Pluribus, full of proud, haughty pirates corsairs and Mandovian spicefruit.
—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Set in 1492, the series follows Sara, the defiant daughter of Granada’s chief Rabbi, exiled during Spain’s expulsion of its Jewish population and captured by Ottoman corsairs (‘Korsan’ in Turkish).
—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corsairs
pirates
Noun
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We’re told that Krem, a human trafficker who leads a group of space pirates known as the Brigands, possesses the strength of 10,000 men.
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The 180-degree view shows everything from packages to porch pirates in sharp HD, and motion alerts pop up instantly on your phone.
Cite this Entry
“Corsairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corsairs. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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