What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
desperado
Example
The desperado held up the bank with a gun in his hand. [desperado: noun]
Example
He was known as a desperado, always getting into trouble with the law. [desperado: adjective]
bandit
Example
The bandit stole the jewels from the wealthy merchant. [bandit: noun]
Example
The bandit gang terrorized the small town for months. [bandit: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bandit is more commonly used than desperado in everyday language. Bandit is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while desperado is less common and may sound outdated or old-fashioned in some contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between desperado and bandit?
Both desperado and bandit are informal words that are typically used in casual or creative writing contexts. However, bandit may be slightly more formal and less colloquial than desperado due to its wider usage and international origin.