thug
7 synonyms for thug, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A violent, aggressive criminal, often acting as part of a gang.
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 thug
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a gang of thugs
street thug
Etymology
Borrowed from Hindi thag, "swindler" or "cheat," originally referring to a network of gangs in India who robbed and murdered travelers. The English sense broadened to "violent criminal" by the mid-1800s.
Full origin of thug →Frequently asked questions
What does “thug” mean?
The word “thug” means a violent, aggressive criminal, often acting as part of a gang. In plain terms, a violent, threatening criminal.
How do you pronounce “thug”?
“Thug” is pronounced thuhg (/θʌɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “thug” in a sentence?
Here is “thug” used in a sentence: “The neighborhood was terrorized by a gang of thugs.”
What part of speech is “thug”?
“Thug” is a noun.
Where does the word “thug” come from?
The word “thug” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Hindi. Borrowed from Hindi thag, "swindler" or "cheat," originally referring to a network of gangs in India who robbed and murdered travelers. The English sense broadened to "violent criminal" by the mid-1800s.
Is “thug” a common word?
“Thug” is an uncommon word in modern English.
