as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the loan shark sent a couple of gorillas to "convince" him to pay up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gorilla
In October 2022, Bell Limbrick informed Bohn that fans outside of the Coliseum had put a jersey of Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams on a gorilla and the image had appeared on the game’s broadcast.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Recent research has indicated that tool use may have very deep roots among hominoids—the group of primates that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, bonobos and humans.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
The gorillas also eat three other plants that are utilized in local medicine, although the antibacterial properties of the tree bark itself may explain why gorillas here can harbor E. coli bacteria without any symptoms.
—Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
The giant lemurs died off long ago, around 350 B.C. and were as large as gorillas.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gorilla 
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Recent research has indicated that tool use may have very deep roots among hominoids—the group of primates that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, bonobos and humans.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
The gorillas also eat three other plants that are utilized in local medicine, although the antibacterial properties of the tree bark itself may explain why gorillas here can harbor E. coli bacteria without any symptoms.
—Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
The giant lemurs died off long ago, around 350 B.C. and were as large as gorillas.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gorilla
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gorilla
Noun
-
The investigation leads Cole into an ugly world of red-neck thugs and disappeared girls.—
Sandra Dallas,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
-
How many of you recall the TV image on Jan. 6, 2021, of Officer Daniel Hodges, squashed in a revolving door at the U.S. Capitol, screaming for help as MAGA thugs beat on his head?—
Trudy Rubin,
The Mercury News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This shortcoming extends to its assortment of villains who, despite including celebrity appearances like AEW wrestler Samoa Joe, fail to leave a memorable impression beyond being yet another obstacle on the way to the end credits.—
Isaiah Colbert,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2025
-
More news: Warner Bros Delays 'The Batman 2' For a Third Time One of Batman's biggest foes is Clayface, a villain who can mold his body into a multitude of devastating shapes.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This location can be found north of Tachov in the forests beside a bandit camp.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The bandit wheeled and snarled at Herod, exposing his rotting front teeth.—
Louis Menand,
The New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Three Thai women were rescued after a group of Chinese gangsters enslaved them in the former Soviet republic of Georgia in order to harvest their eggs.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The film stars Ha Jung-woo as Min-tae, a former gangster who discovers his brother Seok-tae’s lifeless body and learns that Seok-tae’s wife, Moon-young (played by Yoo Da-in), has disappeared.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The pint-sized assassin pulls a gun out of her fuzzy heart throw pillow and gets to work.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Polls show skepticism remains about lone assassin theory The Justice Department and other federal government entities have reaffirmed conclusions that Oswald was solely responsible for the killing of the former president.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Many citizens have come to believe that for too long, the rights of criminals have trumped the rights of citizens to be safe and free from violence.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Doing so will also mitigate the economic impacts, as criminals do not contribute to the American economy.—
Douglas Schoen,
Orange County Register,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Who didn't want to be like those kids going on adventures involving gangsters, pirate ships and best friends?—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
-
This 31-gallon storage box is a tidy option at a great price right now, and this resin delivery box is an attractive pick for anyone who worries about porch pirates.—
Clint Davis,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Bugatti unveiled its new Tourbillon hypercar last summer to replace the outgoing Chiron hypercar, and, like the Chiron, Bugatti said the Tourbillon would have a 16-cylinder engine under the hood.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
11 Feb. 2025
-
More specifically, the Storm Shift features 60g insulation in zones like the sleeves and hood for mobility, while heavier 100g in the torso provides the core with extra warmth.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside Online,
8 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to gorilla
Thesaurus Entries Near gorilla
Cite this Entry
“Gorilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gorilla. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share