Master advanced frontier-justice vocabulary from Western-genre games and stories — acquittal, arbitration, bootlegger, and lawless brigand.
Free Gaming: Wild West vocabulary flashcards at the B2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and recognize and use these words confidently in real conversations.
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acquittal
a judgment that a person is not guilty of a crime they were charged with
aggravated
made more serious by additional harmful factors; used of crimes with violence
annexation
the act of taking control of a territory and adding it to an existing one
arbitration
the use of a neutral third party to settle a dispute outside of court
bootlegger
a person who makes, sells, or transports illegal goods, especially alcohol
brigand
a member of a group of bandits that attacks travellers in remote areas
complicit
involved in or aware of an illegal or wrong act done by someone else
conspiracy
a secret plan made by a group of people to do something unlawful or harmful
desolation
a state of emptiness, ruin, and absence of life or comfort
dilapidated
in a state of disrepair through age, neglect, or poor use
dispossess
to take property or land away from someone, often by force or legal manipulation
emancipation
the act of being set free from legal, political, or social restrictions
encroach
to gradually go beyond acceptable or established limits, especially onto someone's land
exploitation
the act of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work
extradition
the legal process of returning a fugitive from one jurisdiction to another
formidable
inspiring fear or respect because of being very powerful or impressive
frontier justice
punishment carried out without a legal trial, based on local custom or personal authority
guerrilla
a member of a small independent fighting force that uses surprise tactics
harboring
secretly giving shelter or protection to a criminal or fugitive
indictment
a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, issued by a legal authority
jurisdiction
the official power of a legal authority to make decisions over a particular area
lawlessness
a state in which laws are widely ignored or not enforced
lynching
the unlawful killing of a person by a mob, often by hanging, without a trial
marauder
a person who roams about attacking and robbing people or settlements
outlawry
the state or practice of living as an outlaw; the condition of being outside the law
persecution
prolonged and cruel treatment of a person or group, especially for their beliefs or identity
pillage
to rob a place using violence, especially during a conflict or raid
plunder
goods stolen by force, especially during war or a violent raid
prospector
a person who searches for gold or other minerals in remote territory
renegade
a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles
retribution
punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong they have done
sovereignty
supreme power or authority over a territory, independent of outside control
subjugation
the act of bringing someone under control by force or domination
manifest destiny
the belief that expansion across a continent was justified and inevitable
vigilantism
the practice of taking law enforcement into one's own hands without legal authority