as in buccaneers
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
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as in seizes
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
using pirated software that was subject to copyright
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Recent Examples of pirates
USA Today, 6 May 2026
While not based on exact historical events, the film is set during a period when Korea struggled with frequent raids by Japanese pirates.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Why are pirates called pirates?
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
The former's post-apocalyptic cities were nicely sun-scorched and detailed, while the latter's gaudy anime pirates popped with vibrancy.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
The Puntland official said nine pirates boarded and took control of the vessel.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
States that refused to negotiate or did not meet the obligations of the agreements are often branded as pirates and accused of supporting counterfeiting and theft.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Iran has gone from having the most lethal navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates.
—Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
And some influencers say the new clip from Supergirl was good — Kara on a space-bus full of aliens who get attacked by pirates, with a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
Kidd had been commissioned to protect English vessels against pirates and the French, but after taking an Indian ship with an English captain in 1698, he was accused of piracy.
—USA Today, 6 May 2026
While not based on exact historical events, the film is set during a period when Korea struggled with frequent raids by Japanese pirates.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Why are pirates called pirates?
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
The former's post-apocalyptic cities were nicely sun-scorched and detailed, while the latter's gaudy anime pirates popped with vibrancy.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
The Puntland official said nine pirates boarded and took control of the vessel.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
States that refused to negotiate or did not meet the obligations of the agreements are often branded as pirates and accused of supporting counterfeiting and theft.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Iran has gone from having the most lethal navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates.
—Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
And some influencers say the new clip from Supergirl was good — Kara on a space-bus full of aliens who get attacked by pirates, with a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirates
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
Verb
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Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The report claims the enhancing of Putin’s own security measures came after this widening of the FSO’s remit.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
-
Coffey’s lawsuit claims the State Agricultural Society, which governs the Fair, violated the Minnesota Whistleblower Act by unlawful retaliation.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Apple has provided some guilty pleasure companion reading for fans of Vince Gilligan‘s new apocalyptic drama Pluribus, full of proud, haughty pirates corsairs and Mandovian spicefruit.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Denied children in life, a kuntilanak steals them, those in utero and those already born.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
-
What is it called when someone steals your coffee?—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The children designated as Palestinians, meanwhile, have their drawings torn up and are relegated to small corners of the classroom while the teacher confiscates their candy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Nov. 2025
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Milwaukee Marshall High School confiscates a student’s phone until the end of the day for a first offense, requires a parent pickup after a second offense and issues an automatic suspension for repeat violations.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Out of all 32 teams in the League, the Las Vegas raiders get the first pick of the draft, with the New York Jets to follow.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
23 Apr. 2026
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The Vikings were raiders, pirates, traders, explorers, and colonizers who traveled far beyond their homeland in Scandinavia between the 9th and 11 centuries.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In addition to two helipads, the yacht also has a helicopter hanger that converts into a squash court, as well as a 25-meter long swimming pool.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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That converts to around US$1,940, though an official US release is not on the cards.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirates. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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