1
: a stupid person
2
a
: a man hired to terrorize or eliminate opponents
went on; gone on; going on; goes on
1
2
: to take place : happen
what's going on
3
: to talk especially in an effusive manner
the way people go on about their ancestors—
Hamilton Basso
Hamilton BassoExamples of goon in a Sentence
Noun
He was beat up by a couple of goons.
an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him “brainless goons”
Verb
what in the world is going on in there?
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Netzley, EW.com, 6 May 2025
When McGovern runs from a skeletal monster into a narrow, claustrophobic hallway with locked doors, the bony hands emitting from the goon’s chest aren’t as oppressive as the overall atmosphere.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
That was from the moment the first piece of promotion went on the air at Super Bowl LI in 2017 — a bold, big bet by Hulu [which cost $5 million for 30 seconds of airtime].
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for goon
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Noun
While Knight and Torres exchange gunfire with Kansas City goons at the hotel loading dock, Parker and McGee try to convince the mob bosses to please exit the hotel room as there's likely a uranium bomb nearby.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 6 May 2025
When McGovern runs from a skeletal monster into a narrow, claustrophobic hallway with locked doors, the bony hands emitting from the goon’s chest aren’t as oppressive as the overall atmosphere.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
And, the brand just went on rare sale at the boutique retailer Gilt for Memorial Day weekend.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
That was from the moment the first piece of promotion went on the air at Super Bowl LI in 2017 — a bold, big bet by Hulu [which cost $5 million for 30 seconds of airtime].
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for goon
Cite this Entry
“Goon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goon. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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