brigandry
Organized criminal plundering
Brigandry is the practice of robbery and plundering by armed bands, especially in remote or lawless regions.
The word evokes highway robbers and mountain bandits of earlier centuries: The countryside was plagued by brigandry.
It can describe any organized thievery or banditry, though the term sounds literary or historical in modern use.
Forcible theft during conflict
- lootingTheft during disorder
- sackingDismissal from employment
- raidingSudden attack for plunder
- maraudingRoving to plunder
depredation · spoliation · ransacking · despoiling · foraging · rapine · ravaging · booty
Mounted thief targeting travelers
- marauderOne who raids for loot
- raiderOne who attacks suddenly
- freebooterMaritime plunderer seeking booty
- desperadoBold, reckless outlaw
reiver · footpad · bushranger · bandolero · outlaw · ruffian · cutthroat · thug
Pirate or pirate ship
- buccaneerCaribbean colonial-era pirate
- privateerAuthorized civilian warship
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- sea roverMaritime plunderer
pirate · swashbuckler · sea dog · viking · raider · plunderer · boarding party · letters of marque
Disorder from absent authority
- disorderAbsence of organization
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
- misruleInept or unjust governing
- rebellionDefiance of established power
insurrection · turmoil · unrest · no-man's-land · warlordism
pillaging
Forcible theft during conflict
marauding · depredation · spoliation · ransacking · despoiling · foraging · rapine · ravaging · booty · spoils
highwayman
Mounted thief targeting travelers
- marauderOne who raids for loot
- raiderOne who attacks suddenly
- freebooterMaritime plunderer seeking booty
desperado · reiver · footpad · bushranger · bandolero · outlaw · ruffian · cutthroat · thug · road agent
corsair
Pirate or pirate ship
- buccaneerCaribbean colonial-era pirate
- privateerAuthorized civilian warship
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
sea rover · pirate · swashbuckler · sea dog · viking · raider · plunderer · boarding party · letters of marque · black flag
anarchy
Disorder from absent authority
rebellion · insurrection · turmoil · unrest · no-man's-land · warlordism
brigandrylaw enforcement
Upholding legal codes
law and order · policing · peacekeeping · civil order · lawfulness
brigandryphilanthropy
Generous giving for others
benevolence · charity · altruism · humanitarianism · protection