buccaneer

/ˌbʌkəˈnɪr/
verb
  1. To act as a pirate; to plunder or raid.
    • In the novel, the hero buccaneers against the Spanish fleet.
    • The crew buccaneered along the coast, looting villages.
    • They buccaneered for years before retiring with their gold.
noun
  1. A pirate, especially one who attacked Spanish ships and colonies in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries.
    • Many buccaneers were former sailors or escaped slaves.
    • The buccaneer sailed the Caribbean looking for treasure ships.
    • The museum had an exhibit on the golden age of buccaneers.
  2. A person who acts in a bold, reckless, or unscrupulous way, especially in business or politics.
    • The politician was criticized as a buccaneer who ignored ethics.
    • She was known as a financial buccaneer who played by her own rules.
    • The tech buccaneer took huge risks to build his startup.
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