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
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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
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Recent Examples of pirate
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 8 June 2026
The business will start with six rooms featuring themes like a haunted house, murder mansion, pirate’s cruise and jungle explorer.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Any new Costco will only pirate customers from existing retail stores, adding to new vacancies.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pirate
Noun
Sources tell Deadline that Ridley Scott is on board to direct a movie adaptation of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel Treasure Island, with Hugh Jackman attached to play iconic pirate Long John Silver.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 8 June 2026
The business will start with six rooms featuring themes like a haunted house, murder mansion, pirate’s cruise and jungle explorer.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Verb
For lunch, head to The Pirate House where pirate lore and a casual buffet of Southern staples keep little ones entertained.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Any new Costco will only pirate customers from existing retail stores, adding to new vacancies.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pirate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirate
Noun
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The conference curated a world of coming wonders for several hundred C-suite buccaneers who had paid up to fifty thousand dollars apiece to update their mental models and investment portfolios.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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Guests may spot Rummy greeting buccaneers from his perch along the bar.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The Spurs made 14 3-pointers, a Finals record for one half, to seize control of this game in a stunning display of shot-making and poise.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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The Scarborough Shoal, known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc and in China as Huangyan Dao, sits within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, but Beijing has maintained a near-constant presence around the shoal after seizing de facto control in a tense 2012 standoff.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Named for privateer Jean Lafitte, who aided American forces during the War of 1812, the park preserves cultural traditions alongside fragile ecosystems.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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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
Verb
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But Maduro stole the election and unleashed brutal repression.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Dec. 2025
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Sophi Balerdi tried to steal Steven’s Block-a-Vote advantage at Tribal Council, but because Steven had already activated it back at camp, Sophie was left embarrassed and empty-handed while Steven appeared to hold all the cards, especially when Rizo Velocic decided to not play his immunity idol.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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There is widespread, cross-partisan public support for finally clamping down on these corporate freebooters.—
Prem Thakker,
The New Republic,
23 Feb. 2023
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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
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In one scene, some Mexicans confiscate the brothers’ documents and take their horses.—
Rachel Ashcroft
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
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An Israeli strike hit a street in central Gaza on Thursday where witnesses said a crowd was getting bags of flour from a Palestinian police unit that had confiscated the goods from gangs looting aid convoys.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Noun
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In the 1790s, the United States faced a world ruled by corsairs and kings.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
12 Jan. 2026
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Acknowledging burdens and consequences In the 1790s, the United States faced a world ruled by corsairs and kings.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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Demonstrators grabbed bricks from the ground to throw at police, as tear gas was deployed in Geneva's streets, witnesses told Reuters.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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