thug

noun

ˈthəg How to pronounce thug (audio)
Definition of thugnext
as in gangster
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang the Mob boss regularly sent his thugs after people who were slow to pay their debts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 thug Trump’s Insane Clown Posse Cabinet is very close to being filled with a cadre of fools and quacks, goons and thugs. — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025 The 20th-century Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is under siege from a greedy developer (James Bond star Timothy Dalton) and his thugs in the new season. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 But authorities now believe the most heinous acts were the handiwork of a one-time nursing student from Puerto Rico who evolved over a decade from teenage burglar to drug trafficker to rampaging thug. — Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025 The plot unfurls from there as Mercury unravels both the mystery of why these thugs kidnapped Rachel, and a secret Glenn is keeping. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thug
  1. gangster
  2. criminal
  3. villain
  4. assassin
  5. bandit
  6. thief
  7. hoodlum
  8. pirate
Noun
  • An hour ago, the stocky British actor best known on these shores for playing tough guys and gangsters was on a morning talk show, after having chatted with Jimmy Fallon the previous evening.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Dealing with the fractious relationship between gangsters and former friends Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, the film strains for an epic quality that the filmmaking doesn’t support.
    — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of gangster
Noun
  • The film follows an American student (Seberg) in Paris who loves a dangerous criminal (Belmondo) obsessed with Humphrey Bogart.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The company entices the criminal to click on a tracking link, which provides information about their location.
    — Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of criminal
Noun
  • The real villains, says Mozaffarian, are excessive amounts of refined grains, starches, and sugars, as well as salt and other preservatives, chemical additives, and contaminants from packaging.
    — Sarah Boden, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In the comics, Sinestro starts off as a member of the Green Lantern Corp, eventually becoming a villain and starting his own Sinestro Corp.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of villain
Noun
  • Reeves is John Wick, but that doesn't mean that the world that is currently being built around the famed assassin doesn't have others that could act as de facto John Wick.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • In his presentation on Monday, Hochman drew a parallel between the Menendez case and the case of Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Robert Kennedy.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of assassin
Noun
  • Matt Dillon as Bob Hughes, lead junkie bandit of Drugstore Cowboy would also slot right in now, as would the late River Phoenix as conflicted hustler Mike Waters in Idaho.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Want to try and take on a bandit camp but don’t want to risk dying?
    — George Yang, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of bandit
Noun
  • The thriller, which stars Marc Bessant and Jason Williamson and is the directorial debut of filmmaker John Minton, is set against the backdrop of the 1990s rave culture where two men – one a thief and one a poacher – must use their wits to survive.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The Saltburn star never appeared in the series, unlike Murphy, who played street gang boss Tommy Shelby, and Graham, who played the thief Hayden Stagg on a two-episode arc in 2022.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of thief
Noun
  • Those secrets created De Niro’s glorified and most memorable street hoodlums and now befuddle his current crazy-man public image.
    — Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Some people told his family that Pereda went to a movie that night and a hoodlum told him someone outside wanted to see him.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of hoodlum
Noun
  • Majima's two combat styles are brilliantly cool, as are customization options for your crew, your looks and your pirate ship.
    — James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Children can enjoy the facilities at the hotel’s Kids Club, which has a large outdoor playground featuring a large play pirate ship.
    — Jason Chau, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of pirate

Browse Nearby Words

thuds
thug
thugs
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Cite this Entry

“Thug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thug. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thug

Nglish: Translation of thug for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thug

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