as in bandit
old-fashioned
a violent criminal who is not afraid of getting hurt or caught
A documentary about some notorious desperados of the Wild West.
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Recent Examples of desperado
The other actors in the terrific eight-member cast — which includes Eddie Cooper, Dashiell Eaves and Ken Marks — play multiple roles as townsfolk, family members, lawmen, desperados, hucksters and suckers.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 27 Apr. 2025
Still, the robbery sent an Oklahoma sheriff’s posse and bloodhounds after these bungling desperados.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
Martín Ramírez’s large Caballero features a magnificent desperado pointing his gun as his almost-hieroglyphic horse rears its head — a brilliant universal altarpiece.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
The true story of the formerly enslaved man who became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal comes to life on Lawmen: Bass Reeves, an eight-episode series starring David Oyelowo as the storied gunslinger who arrested some 3,000 desperados without ever suffering a single wound.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for desperado
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 27 Apr. 2025
Still, the robbery sent an Oklahoma sheriff’s posse and bloodhounds after these bungling desperados.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
Martín Ramírez’s large Caballero features a magnificent desperado pointing his gun as his almost-hieroglyphic horse rears its head — a brilliant universal altarpiece.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
The true story of the formerly enslaved man who became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal comes to life on Lawmen: Bass Reeves, an eight-episode series starring David Oyelowo as the storied gunslinger who arrested some 3,000 desperados without ever suffering a single wound.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for desperado
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperado
Noun
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Security analyst Nnamdi Obasi, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group think tank, explained that while extremist groups have wreaked havoc against both Christians and Muslims in the northeast of Nigeria, bandit groups have terrorized predominantly Muslim communities in the northwest.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The country has faced years of bloodshed from Boko Haram militants and armed bandits, whose motives are often linked more to territorial control and ransom than to religion.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This year’s furry green villain is more funny than scary, his behavior unthreatening, his confrontational manner with the Whos never feeling particularly dangerous.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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The cast picture also included Brett Gelman, Priah Ferguson, Cara Buono, Amybeth McNulty and Jamie Campbell Bower, the latter who joined the cast in season 4 as the show's villain, Vecna.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Conversely, the percentage of respondents who think juvenile offenders should be treated like adults has fallen from 65% in 2000 to a record-low 41% this year, the report said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
10 Nov. 2025
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East Lansing's ordinance states that anyone found in violation will be issued a $25 fine for first time offenders.—
Eric Guzmán,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Live Super Bowl odds NFC heavyweights Week 10’s action closed with the Philadelphia Eagles gutting out a defensive monster against the Green Bay Packers in Monday Night Football.—
Hannah Vanbiber,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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Personality goes a long way for the smiliest of all Frankenstein monsters.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic who’s been ripped in half by the very beast that Dek has come to kill.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
4 Nov. 2025
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Now, Alesta is determined to destroy the beast that took her friend from her by traveling to Hell.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Wolfpack hired noted NCAA outlaw Will Wade.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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There’s a certain unpredictability and fleet-footedness required to play this budding outlaw, and the actor can’t convey any excitement in the part.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desperado.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperado. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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