piratical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hunt is depicted in fin-de-siècle vest and suit jacket, his debonair mustache giving him a sophisticated, almost piratical air.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

When he returned, he had a piratical grin and a glint in his eyes.

From Washington Post • Aug. 18, 2022

A piratical pastor in a boxcar and two rich, tuxedoed drunks on the same train are like admonitory bookends on the subjects of class and self-determination.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 24, 2021

In the debit column, he had an incurable habit of piratical thieving that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2021

The frigate-bird is of the orthodox piratical colour—black—but has a vermilion beak and a few white patches on its throat.

From The Cruise of the 'Alerte' The narrative of a search for treasure on the desert island of Trinidad by Knight, E. F. (Edward Frederick)