Synonyms of pirate

pirate 1 of 2

noun

ˈpī-rət 

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

• buccaneer
• privateer
• freebooter
• corsair
• raider
• robber
• rover
• marauder
• plunderer
• looter
• pillager
• despoiler

pirate

2 of 2

verb

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

• seize
• steal
• confiscate
• grab
• convert
• usurp
• occupy
• appropriate
• claim
• commandeer
• take over
• loot
• assume
• invade
• preempt
• annex
• snatch
• expropriate
• press
• arrogate
• pillage
• attach
• trespass
• repossess
• impound
• despoil
• collar
• grasp
• infringe
• sequester
• wrench
• encroach
• preoccupy
• misuse
• wrest
• embezzle
• misappropriate
• misapply
• peculate

Examples of pirate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The woodsy space is decorated with red drapery and pirate motifs, including swords and pieces of treasure. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2024

Levine is co-creator/executive producer of FX’s The Old Man and also co-created and executive produced Starz’s pirate drama Black Sails. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2024

Verb

Many of the BBSes were standard tech-nerd fare—chats where users would discuss pirating software or gossip about buzzy new product releases. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

He was fined once for powerboat speeding in a manatee zone, and once for pirating cable television signals. —Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024