A raider is someone who makes a sudden, surprise attack to steal, capture, or destroy something. Vikings were famous raiders who sailed swiftly to coastal villages, took what they wanted, and disappeared before defenders could organize. Raiders rely on speed and surprise rather than long battles.

In business, the term describes someone who buys enough shares in a company to gain control of it, often breaking it apart to sell the pieces for profit. These corporate raiders became notorious in the 1980s for taking over companies, firing workers, and selling assets, though some argued they forced poorly run companies to improve.

The word also appears in sports team names like the Las Vegas Raiders, suggesting fierce competitiveness and aggressive play. In video games and fantasy stories, raiders are characters who attack settlements or dungeons for treasure and resources.

What makes someone a raider rather than just a thief or attacker is the organized, surprise nature of the action. A raider has a plan, strikes quickly, and gets out fast. The word carries a sense of boldness and danger: raiders are willing to take big risks for big rewards, though their actions can harm innocent people who become their targets.