as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the loan shark sent a couple of gorillas to "convince" him to pay up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 gorilla
Virunga National Park is famous for its gorillas.
—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected fruit bats, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead in the rainforest.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Olympia's new son marks the first gorilla born via C-section in the Woodland Park Zoo's 126-year history.
—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
The post immediately went viral, garnering 10 million views and more than 110,000 likes as of Thursday morning, with some commenters honoring Harambe and others questioning why the White House made such an emotional tribute to the slain gorilla.
—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gorilla
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected fruit bats, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead in the rainforest.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Olympia's new son marks the first gorilla born via C-section in the Woodland Park Zoo's 126-year history.
—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
The post immediately went viral, garnering 10 million views and more than 110,000 likes as of Thursday morning, with some commenters honoring Harambe and others questioning why the White House made such an emotional tribute to the slain gorilla.
—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gorilla
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gorilla
Noun
-
Ditto Hugh Jackman’s unerring performance — perhaps his finest dramatic work yet — as a savage, unfeeling thug and unrepentant murderer and thief.
-
The actions of these thugs, who should be imprisoned for a long while, is the cause of denying real Knicks fans the chance to watch the game communally.
Noun
-
The immigrant-threat frame offers a quicker villain and a simpler solution to persistent social problems such as violent crime.
-
The new production will follow Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo from their comic book origins to becoming global pop culture icons, battling familiar villains along the way.
Noun
-
The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in the forest when being pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham.
-
The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in the forest when being pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham.
Noun
-
The 16 reputed gangsters or aspiring gangsters charged in the indictment range in age from 19 to 24.
-
That’s not to say that there aren’t some similarities between the Gotham City gangster in The Penguin and Los Angeles private investigator of Sugar.
Noun
-
What begins as a chance to escape the routine of his everyday life quickly spirals into a dangerous gathering of powerful criminals, old enemies, and unresolved loyalties.
-
That creates the perfect opening for criminals.
Noun
-
As a pirate assassin and post-apocalyptic warrior, Krem of the Yellow Hills connects with Aries.
-
The report’s key finding was that an odd, angry, 24-year-old assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, had acted alone, for reasons nobody could quite figure out.
Noun
-
There's even some sympathy for the vengeful pirate character.
-
Tyland may have gotten Triarchy pirate Admiral Sharako Lohar on Team Green’s side, but at his core this man is a coward.
Noun
-
At one point, what appeared to be a bullet hole was seen in the hood of a Chicago police squad car.
-
Most changes happen under the hood.
Cite this Entry
“Gorilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gorilla. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
