outlaw gang
Robbers riding together
An outlaw gang is a group of criminals operating together, especially in the American Old West—bank robbers, cattle rustlers, and train robbers who evaded law enforcement across frontier territories.
The term now also applies to motorcycle clubs engaged in organized crime: The outlaw gang controlled drug traffic in three states.
The romantic connotation of frontier outlaws often doesn't carry over to modern usage.
- banditsArmed robbers, often roving
- desperadosReckless criminal fugitives
- robbersThose who steal forcibly
- thievesThose who commit larceny
- hideoutSecret place of refuge
gunslingers · six shooter · horseback · horseback riding · bounty · wanted · sheriff · dead or alive · wanted poster · fugitives · on the run · heist · stagecoach · rustlers · notorious · ambush · saloon · loot
- Outlawsbandit, desperado, highwayman, robber, rustler
- criminal groupsmafia, cartel, mob, syndicate, crime family
- frontier crimescattle rustling, horse theft, train robbery, stagecoach robbery, bank robbery
- secret groupssecret society, cabal, Freemasons, cult, coven
- frontier violencecavalry charge, wagon train attack, gunfight, shootout, cavalry raid
outlaw ganglaw enforcement
Upholding legal codes
police force · constabulary · Texas Rangers · mounted police · posse
outlaw gangvigilantes
Unlicensed punishers of wrongdoers
posse comitatus · heroes · crime fighters · neighborhood watch · freedom fighters
outlaw gangcivic organization
Group promoting local welfare
town council · neighborhood watch · establishment · peacekeepers
outlaw, gang, outlaws, outlawed, outlawing, outlawry, gangs, gangster, gangsters