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thug

thug

252 4.9
A violent person who attacks or threatens others
  • noun
  • /θʌg/
  • Offensive
: matón
  • Colleen's thugs tried to kill me.
  • armed thugs
  • a gang of thugs
  • hired thugs

You'll either be a union man or thug for JH Blair.

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Examples

  • We refuse to allow some thug to prevent this city from exercising its democratic rights.

  • You're nothing but a common thug.

  • Worried that government thugs would once again burn down the Leader's.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But in the real world, there are thugs across the street and dictators across the ocean.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Gangs of thugs terrifying the people.

  • They're nothing but thugs and hooligans.

  • Con men, thieves... degenerates, lowlifes, thugs, criminals!

  • The gang of thugs terrorized the neighborhood, causing residents to live in fear.

  • He was arrested for attacking a man, proving once again that he's a dangerous thug.

  • After years of crime, the thug was finally caught and sentenced to prison.

Synonyms

punk
vsthug
  • Offensive
311 7.9

A young person who acts violently or breaks the law

is a violent person not limited to youth subcultures
bully
vsthug
  • Offensive
258 3.2

A person who scares or hurts people who are weaker

is violent more broadly and may attack a range of victims
gangster
vsthug
216 4.4

A person who is part of a group that does illegal things

is a violent individual rather than an organized crime member
goon
vsthug
  • Offensive
115 8.1

A violent person hired to threaten or hurt others

is a violent person who usually acts independently
hood
vsthug
  • Offensive
39 8.9

A young person who does violent street crimes

is violent more broadly and not limited to street crime
hoodlum
vsthug
  • Offensive
35 7.6

A young person who steals, fights, or causes trouble with a gang

is a violent person not restricted to youth or gang membership
gangbanger
vsthug
  • Offensive
32 9.9

A person who joins a criminal gang and often takes part in violent acts

is violent even when not acting as a gang member
muscle
vsthug
  • Informal
29 8.2

A person who is paid to use force or threats for someone else

is a violent person who may act independently not only for hire
gangsta
vsthug
  • Slang
22 9.9

A young person who belongs to a street gang or acts tough like gang members

is a violent criminal rather than a style or identity sign
ruffian
vsthug
  • Offensive
13 8.1

A violent person who hurts others and causes trouble

is violent but not necessarily cruel or especially brutal
brawler
vsthug
10 6.2

A person who fights roughly in places like bars

is violent as a criminal or threatening person beyond mere fighting
tough
vsthug
7 7.5

A person who is strong and may threaten or hurt others

is violent through criminal actions rather than mere toughness
roughie
vsthug
  • Offensive
2 9.9

A person who uses violence or threats to frighten others

is violent including physical attacks and criminal threats
toughie
vsthug
  • Offensive
2 8.9

A young person who is violent and often breaks the law

is a violent person without necessary youth emphasis
Rambo
vsthug
  • Offensive
1 8.3

A person who acts very tough and reckless in arguments or fights

is a violent criminal who attacks or threatens for criminal reasons
assaulter
vsthug
  • NSFW
1 7.8

A person who attacks someone physically

is a violent person known for ongoing threats and criminal acts
bullyboy
vsthug
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who uses threats or force to control people for a political group

is a violent person not limited to political intimidation roles
hoody
vsthug
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A young person who behaves in a threatening or criminal way

is a violent person regardless of informal regional labels
plug-ugly
vsthug
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A violent person who bullies weaker people

is violent in general and not focused only on weak victims
1 6.8

A person who uses aggressive, unfair methods to win in business or politics

is violent in everyday attacks or threats rather than competitive fights
strong-armer
vsthug
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A young person who uses threats or physical force to steal from people

is violent generally and not limited to crimes by force
punker
vsthug
  • Slang
1 8.5

A young person who causes trouble or takes part in small crimes

is violent in more serious or threatening criminal ways
ruthless goonda
vsthug
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who uses violence and threats to force people to give money

is violent but not described as especially extreme

Antonyms

166 1.0

Not using violence when protesting or solving a conflict

58 3.4

Following the law and not breaking rules

How Violent

gangster
216 4.4
ruffian
  • Offensive
13 8.1
thug
  • Offensive
252 4.9
hooligan
  • Offensive
33 6.3
troublemaker
  • Offensive
61 4.1

Surface Forms

thug singular
thugs plural

Etymology

Thug comes from an Indian word thag meaning 'cheat' or 'thief'. In the 1800s a group called the Thuggee used strangling and robbery on travellers, so today a thug means a violent criminal or troublemaker.