thug

thug

noun \ˈthəg\

Definition of THUG

: a brutal ruffian or assassin : gangster, tough

— thug·gery \ˈthə-g(ə-)rē\ noun

— thug·gish \ˈthə-gish\ adjective

Examples of THUG

1. He was beaten and robbed by street thugs.
2. <the Mob boss regularly sent his thugs after people who were slow to pay their debts>

Origin of THUG

Hindi & Urdu ṭhag, literally, thief

First Known Use: 1810

Related to THUG

Synonyms: bully, gangbanger, gangsta, gangster, goon, gorilla, homeboy, homey (or homie), hood, hooligan, mobster, mug, plug-ugly, punk, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian, hoodlum, tough, toughie (also toughy), yob [British], yobbo [British]

Related Words: cutthroat, scoundrel, villain; assassin, bandit, bravo, brigand, criminal, crook, desperado, felon, gunman, highwayman, lawbreaker, mafioso, malefactor, offender, outlaw, perp, perpetrator, pirate; pickpocket, racketeer, robber, swindler, thief, vandal; juvenile delinquent, tearaway [British]

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Rhymes with THUG

bug, chug, drug, dug, fug, hug, jug, lug, mug, plug, pug, rug, shrug, slug, smug, snug, trug, tug, vug