Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characteristic of or involving piracy: Relating to the illegal act of robbery or violence at sea, or the unauthorized use or reproduction of another's work.
   • Characteristic of pirates: Having the nature, qualities, or behavior typical of pirates, such as being lawless, plundering, or unscrupulous.

Usage

The adjective "piratical" is used to describe actions, people, or things that resemble or are connected to pirates or piracy. It often carries a negative connotation of illegality, theft, or ruthless exploitation.

Examples

• Characteristic of piracy:
  • The company faced lawsuits for its piratical distribution of the software.
  • They discovered a piratical copy of the manuscript being sold online.
• Characteristic of pirates:
  • The captain had a rough, piratical appearance with a beard and an eye patch.
  • The takeover attempt was described as a piratical raid on the company's assets.

Advanced Usage

• "Piratical edition": An unauthorized publication of a book or other work, infringing on copyright.
  • The author was furious to find a piratical edition of her novel being sold in the market.
• "Piratical attack": An assault or act of robbery conducted in the manner of pirates.
  • The cargo ship defended itself against a piratical attack off the coast.

Variants and Related Words

• Pirate (n/v): A person who attacks and robs ships at sea; to use or reproduce (another's work) without permission.
  • Software pirates cost the industry billions.
• Piracy (n): The practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea; the unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted material.
  • Digital piracy is a major concern for filmmakers.

Synonyms

• Plundering: Stealing goods from (a place or person), typically using force.
• Predatory: Seeking to exploit or oppress others.
• Bootleg: Made, distributed, or sold illegally.
• Unscrupulous: Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.

Related Phrases

• To engage in piratical activities: To conduct actions typical of piracy.
  • The coast guard was tasked with stopping vessels suspected of engaging in piratical activities.
• Of a piratical nature: Having the essential qualities of piracy.
  • The contract was deemed of a piratical nature, designed to seize control unfairly.

Related Idioms

• A piratical operation: An enterprise run in a ruthlessly exploitative or illegal manner.
  • The unregulated factory was nothing more than a piratical operation, ignoring all safety and labor laws.

Adjective

1. characteristic of piracy
   • piratical editions of my book
2. characteristic of pirates
   • piratical attackers