bandit

American  

[ban-dit] / ˈbæn dɪt /

noun

plural

bandits,

plural

banditti

1. a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.

   Synonyms:

   desperado, brigand

2. an outlaw or highwayman.

   Synonyms:

   desperado, brigand

3. Informal.

   1. a person who takes unfair advantage of others, as a merchant who overcharges; swindler; cheat.

   2. a vendor, cab driver, etc., who operates a business or works without a required license or permit, and without observing the usual rules or practices.

4. Military Informal. an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.

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idioms

1. make out like a bandit, to be extremely successful; profit greatly.

   The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.

bandit British  

/ ˈbændɪt /

noun

1. a robber, esp a member of an armed gang; brigand

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Other Word Forms

• banditry noun

Etymology

Origin of bandit

First recorded in 1585–95; earlier bandetto, plural banditti, from Italian banditi “outlaws,” plural of bandito “proscribed,” past participle of bandire “banish, exile, announce publicly,” from Gothic bandwjan “to make a sign, indicate” ( band ¹ ) with verb suffix -ire, from Latin -īre

Example Sentences

The military is stretched thin on other fronts as well, including fighting armed gangs known as "bandits" in the northwest and separatists in the southeast.

From Barron's

This instability created lawless zones such as the “neutral ground” of Bergen County in northeast New Jersey and the Pine Barrens in the south, where hardened “banditti” flourished.

From The Wall Street Journal

There can be no doubt that in tax terms, America’s wealthiest families make out like bandits.

From Los Angeles Times

"The strike was conducted at a location where, historically, you have the bandits and the Lakurawa parading around that axis," Bwala said.

From Barron's

The Nigerian government designated the bandits as terrorists under domestic law in January 2022, allowing increased use of the military against them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• criminal
• gangster
• hooligan
• marauder
• mobster
• outlaw
• pirate
• raider
• robber