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Synonyms

rustler

American  
[ruhs-ler] / ˈrʌs lər /

noun

  1. a cattle thief.

  2. a person or thing that rustles.

  3. Informal. an active, energetic person.

rustler British  
/ ˈrʌslə /

noun

  1. a cattle or horse thief

  2. informal an energetic or vigorous person

"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 rustler

First recorded in 1810–20; rustle + -er 1

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.

An eccentric gunfighter for hire must protect a cattle baron’s herd from a rustler and his gang.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2021

Is that a breeze, or could a rustler be lurking there, ready to swathe himself like a ghost?

From The New Yorker • Oct. 12, 2018

Records show that a rustler named Edward H. Seeley was imprisoned at Wyoming Territorial Prison while Cassidy was there, Pointer said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 15, 2011

Before being sent to prison, a remorseful Mr. Novak, then 27, sat down with rangers to help them understand the mind of the cattle rustler.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2011

"A crook! A pirate! A brigand! A rustler!"

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.