Thesaurus results for GANGSTER

gangster

noun

ˈgaŋ-stər

Definition of gangster

as in thug

a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang Al Capone remains one of the most notorious gangsters in American history

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 gangster New owners Jeremy Fall and Sean Maloney plan to preserve its historic character — and the booth gangster Mickey Cohen preferred — while adding dishes such as fresh ravioli and prime rib frites. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 For decades, Hollywood actor Danny Trejo’s bread and butter was playing gangsters, prison inmates and other assorted criminals. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 The world of gangsters and rappers loomed large over the trial. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 When citizens rioted in 1918 because the prices of essential commodities such as rice had spiralled out of control, gangsters were hired to crack down on the protesters. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gangster

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gangster

Noun

The other was Albrecht Hohler, thirty, a Communist member of the paramilitary group the Red Front Fighters and well known locally as a particularly vicious thug—a petty criminal who had been released from jail only a few months earlier.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
These low-level thugs typically are not believed to be formally aligned with Iran.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of thug

Noun

The 83-year-old Mann is known for directing gritty crime stories, many of which look at cops and criminals and are set in urban landscapes.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2026
If a criminal still controls the sender's inbox, that person could potentially intercept the question and send a reassuring answer.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of criminal

Noun

Still, this villain’s origin story works better as a showcase for effects than anything tragic.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker James Mackel, the visual is three-and-a-half minutes of spy stuff, our hero, dressed to impress, making short work of the many villains who lurk in her hotel.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of villain

Noun

Attacks by bandits are common across northern Nigeria where armed groups carry out attacks against civilian populations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Attacks by bandits are common across northern Nigeria, where armed groups carry out attacks against civilian populations.

— Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of bandit

Noun

The Democratic presidential front-runner had just finished his California primary victory speech — thanking Chávez and Huerta — when an assassin gunned him down.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Nearly all of those 80 teams had a wing player who was either a prolific scorer, an in-his-prime All-Star, an accomplished floor general or a skilled shot creator/late-game assassin.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassin

Noun

Matt taking down the mobsters who wronged him may qualify as an understandable form of street justice, but his next move is unjustifiable.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
In a rare lead role, one that gives him a frankly magnificent coat, Turturro adds to his late-career renaissance as an old-school pickpocket who runs afoul of a Gen-Z mobster.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of mobster

Browse Nearby Words

gangstas

gangster

gangsterism

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Gangster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangster. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of gangster

noun

Example Sentences

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