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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as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
using pirated software that was subject to copyright
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pirate
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
Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
After running into trouble with authorities for pirating the best parts of big movies, splicing them together and drawing a crowd that way, Nasir is given orders to change his business model or be shut down.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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
Thanks to a ruling by a Spanish court, the Spanish league now has access to first and last names of certain fans (specific parameters had to be met) illegally pirating its content.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
After running into trouble with authorities for pirating the best parts of big movies, splicing them together and drawing a crowd that way, Nasir is given orders to change his business model or be shut down.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pirate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirate
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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There is widespread, cross-partisan public support for finally clamping down on these corporate freebooters.Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 23 Feb. 2023
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Pirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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