Definition

A person who fights in a guerrilla style, often in wooded areas, or someone who lives in the wilderness, especially as a fugitive.

Example

During the Civil War, many bushwhackers operated in the forests, ambushing enemy troops.

Conversation

Did you hear about that bushwhacker who was spotted near the trail?

Yeah, I heard it’s someone who really knows how to navigate through the woods.

I wonder if they’re just hiking or if they have other reasons to be out there.

Could be both! It’s always a bit mysterious when a bushwhacker is around.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bushwhacker → The word is formed from "bush" (from Old English *busc*, meaning a thicket or shrub) and "whacker" (from the verb "to whack", meaning to strike or hit). A bushwhacker originally referred to someone who strikes or clears away bushes, often used in a military context to describe guerrilla fighters who ambush from wooded areas.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone 'striking' ('whacker') at 'bushes' ('bush') to clear a path or to ambush. This helps you remember that a bushwhacker is someone who deals with bushes, often in a stealthy or aggressive manner.

Visually Confused Words