1. Plural of highwayman; men who robbed travelers on roads, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Usage: historical; often used in literature and historical contexts

Examples

• The highwaymen stopped the stagecoach and demanded the passengers' valuables.
• In the 1700s, highwaymen were a serious threat to travelers on English roads.
• The legend of Robin Hood features highwaymen who robbed the rich.
• Highwaymen often worked in organized gangs to ambush merchants.
• The novel depicts the dangerous encounters between highwaymen and innocent travelers.
• Historical records show that highwaymen were eventually caught and executed.