: a brutal person : bully
Examples of ruffian in a Sentence
a gang of ruffians preying upon people who ventured into that section of town
Recent Examples on the Web
When both young people meet their end the Baron saves Christina by putting Hans’ brain in Christina’s body, uniting their blurred identities in a joint thirst for revenge, creating a Gothic avenger who hunts down the aristocratic ruffians who ruined their happiness.
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Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Friends and neighbors worried that these rumors could attract dangerous young ruffians who might harm them and steal the money.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Then again, the fight scene did that on its own, sounding more refined than ruffian.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024
Troy Stecher is a puck-mover with some two-way ability but is not considered a ruffian in the corners and in front of the net.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruffian
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Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Friends and neighbors worried that these rumors could attract dangerous young ruffians who might harm them and steal the money.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Then again, the fight scene did that on its own, sounding more refined than ruffian.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024
Troy Stecher is a puck-mover with some two-way ability but is not considered a ruffian in the corners and in front of the net.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruffian
Cite this Entry
“Ruffian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffian. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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