goon
15 synonyms for goon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thug or hired muscle, especially one who intimidates or fights on someone else's orders.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use goon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hired goon
a bunch of goons
act like a goon
Etymology
Shortened from "gooney," originally a sailor's word for the albatross and other big, clumsy seabirds. By the early 1900s it had shifted to mean "stupid person," and the "hired thug" sense took off in the late 1930s, partly thanks to the brutish comic-strip character Alice the Goon in Popeye.
Full origin of goon →Frequently asked questions
What does “goon” mean?
The word “goon” means a thug or hired muscle, especially one who intimidates or fights on someone else's orders. In plain terms, either a tough hired enforcer, or just a clumsy/foolish person — context tells you which.
How do you pronounce “goon”?
“Goon” is pronounced GOON (/ˈɡuːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “goon” in a sentence?
Here is “goon” used in a sentence: “Two goons stood by the door, arms crossed, daring anyone to step forward.”
What part of speech is “goon”?
Depending on how it is used, “goon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “goon” come from?
The word “goon” dates back to around 1900.
Is “goon” a common word?
“Goon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “goon” have?
“Goon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thug or hired muscle, especially one who intimidates or fights on someone else's orders.
