Synonyms

highwayman

American

[hahy-wey-muhn] / ˈhaɪˌweɪ mən /

noun

plural

highwaymen

(formerly) a holdup man, especially one on horseback, who robbed travelers along a public road.

highwayman British

/ ˈhaɪˌweɪmən /

noun

(formerly) a robber, usually on horseback, who held up travellers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of highwayman

First recorded in 1640–50; highway + -man

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rachel says the locals would enjoy telling them stories about how the forest is reputedly haunted by the ghosts of legendary highwayman Dick Turpin, Queen Boudicca and many more.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

How many other writers could convincingly depict a blind highwayman or cap that eerie encounter with a duel on bagpipes between Alan and a son of the famous Rob Roy?

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2021

London highwayman Capt. Macheath sits in prison writing an opera based on his life.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2020

On this date in 1879, the stages between Maricopa and Phoenix were held up so frequently that acting Gov. John W. Gasper offered a bounty of $500 for every highwayman caught in the act.

From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2017

He knew an Irish poem once but it was about fairies and had no sign of a highwayman in it.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023