Refers to people who commit violent crimes or acts of rebellion, often as a group. Used in news or formal contexts.
The police arrested a group of outlaws.
The incident is believed to be a crime committed by rioters.
Standard modern spelling.
Older variant using 兇; still seen in some contexts but less common.
Compound of 凶 (bad, evil) and 徒 (follower, gang). The variant 兇徒 uses the older form 兇, which carries a similar meaning of 'wicked' or 'atrocious'.