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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What a perfect opportunity for the island’s shoe bandit to strike again!—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
1 Oct. 2025
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The bandit takes the pair into Shaybani territory, where he is treated with suspicion, to the extent that he is considered a traitor and condemned to die.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Currently, Wiig is in her villain era.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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With Ka-young’s help, Iblis is able to destroy the Flower of Eternal Life, which had allowed Khalid to live forever (at least until this point), and the villain fades to dust.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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See video … Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for a breakdown on Congress’ push for tougher laws to keep repeat violent offenders off America’s streets.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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The opinion article, published in The Mercury News, argued that criminal-justice reforms had weakened consequences for serious offenders.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Fan Fest Nights would not be the first time that Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man and other classic monsters have shared space with Scooby-Doo and the gang.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
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But the trip is going to be an extreme test of fortitude, fate, and faith, evidenced by Lionsgate's preview revealing obstacles including a hellish radiation storm, monster waves, meteors pummeling the Earth, and lethal bands of desperate survivors prowling the continent.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But Arthur is a more straightforward lyricist than Michael Stipe, and Arthur Buck 2 is largely its own charmingly shambolic beast.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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Best Vehicle Unleash the beasts with two dragons that eat, launch, race, and store Hot Wheels cars.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Desperado.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperado. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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