pirate 1 of 2

as in buccaneer
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pirate

2 of 2

verb

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pirate
Noun
In the past year, porch pirates have stolen approximately $12 billion worth of packages, according to Security.org. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 But the proper way to think about the Houthis these days isn't as terrorists, but as pirates. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
All over the world, there were people downloading it, pirating, downloading it. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 This was the approach that was appropriated (and sometimes pirated) by the American artists in my book. Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pirate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirate
Noun
  • Sporting a goatee, tricorn hat, purple vest and pantaloons, the bad-news buccaneer ambushed the victim near the station’s turnstiles, punching him repeatedly before making off with his AirPods and sneakers.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2024
  • However, the swarthy crew has an abundance of muscles and ego, not one of the buccaneers knows how to read.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • In between lies what's known as the area of separation. Rebels, some of them receiving Israeli aid, had previously seized positions on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights at the onset of the country's civil war.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Each year, authorities in the U.S. seize thousands of ghost guns, almost all of them originating from inexpensive kits bought online that can be assembled into a working weapon in as little as half an hour.
    Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • But near the end of Washington’s presidency, French privateers began seizing neutral American ships carrying goods across the Atlantic Ocean.
    Lindsay M. Chervinsky / Made by History, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024
  • Of these, Audi Motorsport reserved 20 for its program, sold 20 to privateer teams, and the remainder were offered on the market at about $80,000 each.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis When The Davenports was released in 2023, the Davenport sisters stole our hearts.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Dec. 2024
  • While brushing may appear like a victimless crime, the reality is that the recipient's personal information may have been stolen.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • After Columbus’s first footfall in the New World, Cuba fell prey to every manner of European freebooter.
    Jon Lee Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
  • There is widespread, cross-partisan public support for finally clamping down on these corporate freebooters.
    Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 23 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • In 2009, the high-school student was taken from her home in Homs by Syrian security forces, and her computer, CDs and other possessions confiscated, according to Amnesty International.
    Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Shortly after releasing six tracks from the project, TMZ reported that his cell was raided and any equipment that could be used to record audio was confiscated.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Freed from a Mediterranean Sea crowded with Ottoman fleets and North African corsairs, the Atlantic upstarts unleashed themselves on the world’s oceans.
    Jeremy Adelman, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2015
  • But the stealthy corsair, evading her pursuer, slipped to safety in Tripoli’s shallow harbor—and then, suddenly, disaster struck the Philadelphia.
    Mark G. Spencer, WSJ, 31 Jan. 2023
Verb
  • The 2-pound cordless device is easy to grab in a pinch to clean small spills and fur balls off of furniture, and it can also be used to refresh car interiors.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Some Broad Ripple Starbucks lovers woke up to a surprise Thursday morning while stopping to grab a cup of Joe.
    Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near pirate

Cite this Entry

“Pirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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