bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət How to pronounce bandit (audio)
plural bandits
Synonyms of bandit
1
plural also banditti ban-ˈdi-tē How to pronounce bandit (audio) : an outlaw who lives by plunder
especially : a member of a band of marauders
2
: robber
3
: an enemy plane
banditry
ˈban-də-trē How to pronounce bandit (audio)
noun

Examples of bandit 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.
The father pulls over, and the car is immediately swarmed over by bandits, who brutally kill him — plus his wife and two kids — with no mercy. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 In the decade of violent conflicts that followed, attacks on border towns and seizures of American property by revolutionaries and bandits prompted the United States to send two military expeditions into Mexico. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Joining Prue is her classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), and the two enter a world of talking animals, bandits and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 Between Two Fires is a zippy historical monster story, where a bandit ex-knight and a young girl beset by visions have to contend with plague and inhuman monsters. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bandit

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian bandito (earlier in English also bandetto, probably by association with the Italian diminutive suffix -etto), noun derivative of bandito "put under a ban, outlawed, exiled," from past participle of bandire "(of a government or other authority) to announce, proclaim, proscribe, outlaw," probably borrowed (directly or via Old Occitan bandir) from Gothic bandwjan "to give a sign, show, reveal," derivative of bandwo "sign, signal" — more at band entry 3

Note: See also note at banderole.

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bandit was in 1611

Phrases Containing bandit

Browse Nearby Words

bandileer
bandit
bandito
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bandit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandit. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bandit

noun
ban·​dit ˈban-dət How to pronounce bandit (audio)
plural bandits also banditti ban-ˈdit-ē How to pronounce bandit (audio)
: a person who lives by stealing and often as a member of a band : robber, outlaw
banditry
ˈban-də-trē How to pronounce bandit (audio)
noun
Etymology

from Italian bandito, literally, "one who is banished"

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bandit

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