as in pirates
a criminal who attacks and steals from travelers and who is often a member of a group of criminals
They were two of the most famous bandits of the 19th century.
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Recent Examples of bandits
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.
—
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
On Derby Day in 1923, four masked bandits raided the hotel poker room, escaping into the crowds with what would now amount to a small fortune.
—Hillary Richard, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Vulnerable rural communities regularly come under fire from Islamic extremists and bandits who take advantage of Nigeria’s vast rural areas and security gaps.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
An unusual theft at a Pennsylvania Wawa has police going bananas for a pair of potassium bandits.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Set against mountainous landscapes and rural lakes, the story follows a wandering swordsman who is falsely accused of stealing a shipment of gold and must unravel a web of intrigue involving bandits, palace guards and corrupt officials while attempting to clear his name.
—Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Our people will never obey orders from a handful of stateless bandits.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers may just be the bandits of 2026 free agency.
—Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
The latter seemed to be a proud vindication of corridos, a style that’s been increasingly under scrutiny in música mexicana because of its tradition of name-checking outlaws, bandits, and cartel leaders.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
On Derby Day in 1923, four masked bandits raided the hotel poker room, escaping into the crowds with what would now amount to a small fortune.
—Hillary Richard, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Vulnerable rural communities regularly come under fire from Islamic extremists and bandits who take advantage of Nigeria’s vast rural areas and security gaps.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
An unusual theft at a Pennsylvania Wawa has police going bananas for a pair of potassium bandits.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Set against mountainous landscapes and rural lakes, the story follows a wandering swordsman who is falsely accused of stealing a shipment of gold and must unravel a web of intrigue involving bandits, palace guards and corrupt officials while attempting to clear his name.
—Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Our people will never obey orders from a handful of stateless bandits.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers may just be the bandits of 2026 free agency.
—Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
The latter seemed to be a proud vindication of corridos, a style that’s been increasingly under scrutiny in música mexicana because of its tradition of name-checking outlaws, bandits, and cartel leaders.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bandits
Noun
-
The Puntland official said nine pirates boarded and took control of the vessel.—
ABC News,
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,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bush and Prime Minister John Major were thick as thieves.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators noted that shortly before the robbery, the guard opened a door against policy — one that faced the area where the thieves were later seen waiting — a move investigators considered highly unusual and suspicious.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bandits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bandits. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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