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.
That said, our green-eyed bandit will never take a beating lying down. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 Mahershala Ali leads the resistance against the malevolent powers that be as a rebel bandit. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026 In The Death of Robin Hood, Hugh Jackman plays the bandit of Nottingham, aged and retired to a hermit's life in the wilderness. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 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 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 27 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on bandit

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bandit

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