badman
Frontier criminal type
A badman is an outlaw or villain, especially in the American West: The sheriff finally caught up with the badman who'd been terrorizing the territory.
The term has an old-fashioned, storybook quality, evoking dime novels and Western films.
In Caribbean and British slang, badman describes a tough guy or gangster, often with admiration for his street credibility.
Armed roadside thief
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- desperadoBold, reckless outlaw
- highwaymanMounted thief targeting travelers
- gangsterCriminal organization member
mobster · smuggler · bootlegger · gunslinger · rustler · brigand · bushranger · moonshiner
Serious crime perpetrator
- convictJailed offender after trial
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- culpritPerson found guilty
lawbreaker · thief · burglar · mugger · fraudster · embezzler · forger · delinquent
One who opposes another
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- fiendCruel person or enthusiast
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
despot · oppressor · archenemy · betrayer · mastermind · schemer · usurper · evildoer
Independent-minded rule-breaker
- rebelAuthority defier
- renegadeDeserter of a cause
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
rapscallion · scamp · rascal · scalawag · ne'er-do-well · black sheep · hellraiser · tearaway
bandit
Armed roadside thief
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- desperadoBold, reckless outlaw
- highwaymanMounted thief targeting travelers
gangster · mobster · smuggler · bootlegger · gunslinger · rustler · brigand · bushranger · moonshiner · mafioso
felon
Serious crime perpetrator
- convictJailed offender after trial
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
culprit · lawbreaker · thief · burglar · mugger · fraudster · embezzler · forger · delinquent · jailbird
antagonist
One who opposes another
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- fiendCruel person or enthusiast
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
tyrant · despot · oppressor · archenemy · betrayer · mastermind · schemer · usurper · evildoer · blackguard
maverick
Independent-minded rule-breaker
- rebelAuthority defier
- renegadeDeserter of a cause
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
scoundrel · rapscallion · scamp · rascal · scalawag · ne'er-do-well · black sheep · hellraiser · tearaway · larrikin
badmanhero
One admired for courage
saint · man of honor · gentleman · good guy · do-gooder
badmansheriff
County's chief officer
lawman · marshal · deputy · Texas Ranger · tin star