DESPERADOES Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

desperadoes

noun

variants or desperados

plural of desperado

as in bandits

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of desperadoes Most are not desperados on the run. — William Morris, Des Moines Register, 4 Mar. 2026 These are desperadoes in the White House. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desperadoes

Noun

One Arab American man later recalled that his great-grandfather, who pursued a similar route, never made it to the Midwest—his train was stopped by a group of bandits from Mexico who forced the passengers to hand over their belongings.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
The train was sitting just outside a depot in Memphis when the bandits made their move.

— Kiel Porter, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of bandits

Noun

Law enforcement is no longer required to give first-time offenders a warning and repeat violations can cost people $2,000 to $5,000 each.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026
To Measure Technology’s Impact Using technology to more accurately predict technology’s impact could go a long way toward changing the discussion and holding offenders accountable.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of offenders

Noun

People who once dined together, smiled together, campaigned together and worked together to strengthen our communities are suddenly being portrayed as villains.

— Beau Simon, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026
Patrick and Hugo McPherson play the Stabbington brothers, two twin villains.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of villains

Noun

Headline writers like to use words like menageries and beasts to describe it.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
Mythical Creatures, designed by Kit Kemp of London’s Firmdale Hotels, is a playful take on fine bone china that comes decorated with folk-art birds and beasts, then finished with a gold rim Kemp customizes herself.

— Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of beasts

Noun

The most obvious general interpretation of Buffy’s project is that the show transmutes real teenage anxieties into monsters; every villain is a metaphor.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
As fans know, no world in Stranger Things is ever void, as there are always monsters lurking nearby, namely Vecna.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of monsters

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“Desperadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desperadoes. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of desperadoes

noun

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