"Marauder" vs. "robber": a tale of two thieves

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 02/11/2024, 23:37

English.me team member

Marauder and robber. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "marauder" and "robber" refer to individuals who steal or take goods unlawfully.

What is different?

"Marauder" often implies a more aggressive or militaristic type of stealing, often involving raiding and causing destruction, whereas "robber" is a more general term for someone who steals, usually involving a single person or small group committing theft possibly with force but without the broader connotations of raiding.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Marauder

The village was attacked by marauders during the night.
The pirates who roamed the seas were feared marauders.

Robber

The robber was caught on security camera stealing from the store.
The bank was held up by a masked robber.