highwayman

noun

high·​way·​man ˈhī-ˌwā-mən How to pronounce highwayman (audio)
: a thief who robs travelers on a road

Examples of highwayman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ride along Rotten Row, a bridleway once frequented by highwaymen, who preyed on people traveling between Kensington Palace and Whitehall, the seat of government. Anna Kim, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2024 The group gets further assistance from a charming aristocratic dandy/secret highwayman named Charles Devereaux (Frank Dillane, The Essex Serpent). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Apr. 2024 Protection has long been needed against highwaymen—or, as they’re called locally, coupeurs de route. Jérôme Tubiana, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2017 When a highwayman makes the mistake of trying to stick her up, a tiny golden spark — Billy — flies into her nose. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024 Fielding plays Turpin, a highwayman based on an actual historical figure from the 18th century. Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Noel Fielding and Hugh Bonneville lead a stellar ensemble cast boasting the cream of UK talent in the tongue-in-cheek reimaging of an iconic highwayman. Simon Thompson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 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? Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2021 Others are the result of bizarre last requests, like when a highwayman asked for his memoir to be bound in his own skin after his execution. Wired Staff, Wired, 29 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of highwayman was in 1617

Dictionary Entries Near highwayman

Cite this Entry

“Highwayman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highwayman. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

highwayman

noun
high·​way·​man -mən How to pronounce highwayman (audio)
: a person who robs travelers on a highway

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