as in buccaneer
someone who engages in robbery of ships at sea
Sir Francis Drake was a British pirate who preyed on Spanish ships with the connivance of Elizabeth I
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
using pirated software that was subject to copyright
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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 pirate
René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Magician Andi Gladwin becomes an unlikely citizen detective, joining a team of illusionists to track down internet pirates who steal their secrets and resell them online.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Massive cannons were stationed at forts across the world, while smaller and more-portable guns accompanied troops and naval (and pirate) vessels.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pirate
Noun
In 1575 Cervantes was on board a ship to Spain (and planning to leave the army) when he was captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Algiers.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Magician Andi Gladwin becomes an unlikely citizen detective, joining a team of illusionists to track down internet pirates who steal their secrets and resell them online.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Verb
Any new Costco will only pirate customers from existing retail stores, adding to new vacancies.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Massive cannons were stationed at forts across the world, while smaller and more-portable guns accompanied troops and naval (and pirate) vessels.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pirate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirate
Noun
-
In 1688 the English buccaneer William Dampier explored New Holland’s northwestern coast.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
-
French buccaneers spent much of the seventeenth century hiding and plundering along the northwest coast of Hispaniola, eventually realizing more money could be made farming tobacco and sugar.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Bianco obtained three search warrants and began seizing ballots in February, despite being ordered by Attorney General Rob Bonta to pause the investigation.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In 1783, another privateer, John Claypoole, became Ross’ third husband, and the couple raised a large family and lived full lives in the city.—
Marla Miller,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
These men were, respectively, a reformist prime minister, the founder of the police force, a naval explorer and a privateer.—
Simon Constable,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bahia is also where breakfast is served each morning—watch out for the cheeky birds who will steal any of your unattended banana pancakes or breakfast burritos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The animatronic creation adorably stole the spotlight from the Mandalorian himself, Pedro Pascal, as well as other human collaborators like Sigourney Weaver (Colonel Ward) and director Jon Favreau (who managed to score a red carpet photo opportunity with the rising lime-green superstar).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
There is widespread, cross-partisan public support for finally clamping down on these corporate freebooters.—
Prem Thakker,
The New Republic,
23 Feb. 2023
-
After Columbus’s first footfall in the New World, Cuba fell prey to every manner of European freebooter.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2021
Verb
-
Her family’s money was confiscated; her favorite uncle, Otto, was murdered by the Nazis; shrapnel lodged in Hepburn’s neck, giving it its beguiling tilt.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.—
Allen G. Breed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Though many enterprising merchants can fairly be cast as corsairs or buccaneers, a surprising number are, as people, curiously pallid.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In the 1790s, the United States faced a world ruled by corsairs and kings.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Executives said the focus this year has been on grabbing the biggest audiences and on how artificial intelligence is improving data and outcomes.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
-
Reid played a big role in the season-saving quarter as well, scoring six points, grabbing three boards and picking up two assists, including a no-look dish to Gobert for a dunk with three minutes to play.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirate. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
