privateer
noun
pri·va·teer ˌprī-və-ˈtir 
: an armed private ship licensed to attack enemy shipping
also : a sailor on such a ship
privateer intransitive verb
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Donne as a young man sailed as a privateer with Raleigh. 
David Propson, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Not content to only heli-ski in Alaska’s short season from mid-February through April, Harms became a privateer, founding what would become Third Edge Heli with Clark Fyans in 2007. Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2021 At the beginning of the war, during the Siege of Boston, Washington had chartered a schooner owned by Marblehead’s John Glover and turned it into a privateer, marking, some have claimed, the beginning of the American Navy. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2021 What are the challenges and advantages of competing as a small privateer? Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 June 2021 Williams’ interpretation is based on his study of fast-moving events that began in early July 1793, when Genêt challenged Washington’s neutrality by converting a merchant ship into an armed privateer that would launch attacks from American ports. Shaun Assael, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 June 2021 Letters of marque and reprisal license the privateer to attack and capture vessels belonging to enemy navies and merchant fleets. Robert Zafft, Forbes, 9 June 2021 With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. Quinci Legardye, Marie Claire, 23 Apr. 2021 With the Darkling after her and her powers, Alina turns to an infamous privateer for help. Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Apr. 2021 See More
David Propson, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Not content to only heli-ski in Alaska’s short season from mid-February through April, Harms became a privateer, founding what would become Third Edge Heli with Clark Fyans in 2007. Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2021 At the beginning of the war, during the Siege of Boston, Washington had chartered a schooner owned by Marblehead’s John Glover and turned it into a privateer, marking, some have claimed, the beginning of the American Navy. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2021 What are the challenges and advantages of competing as a small privateer? Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 June 2021 Williams’ interpretation is based on his study of fast-moving events that began in early July 1793, when Genêt challenged Washington’s neutrality by converting a merchant ship into an armed privateer that would launch attacks from American ports. Shaun Assael, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 June 2021 Letters of marque and reprisal license the privateer to attack and capture vessels belonging to enemy navies and merchant fleets. Robert Zafft, Forbes, 9 June 2021 With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. Quinci Legardye, Marie Claire, 23 Apr. 2021 With the Darkling after her and her powers, Alina turns to an infamous privateer for help. Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1641, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
privateer
noun
pri·va·teer ˌprī-və-ˈtir
1
: a privately owned armed ship permitted by its government to make war on ships of an enemy country
2
: a sailor on a privateer
privateers
noun
as in marauders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- marauders
- pirates
- raiders
- robbers
- plunderers
- buccaneers
- corsairs
- looters
- freebooters
- pillagers
- despoilers
- rovers