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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gangster
Somehow the minds at DreamWorks knew that what Aughts kids wanted to see above all was Martin Scorsese as an underwater gangster.
—
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
The next day, a pair of Russian gangsters, a tall one named Aleksei (Yuri Kolokolnikov) and a short one nicknamed Microbe (Nikita Kukushkin), come by looking for Russ and beat Hank nearly to death.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Colin Farrell earned raves, along with his first career Emmy nod, for playing Gotham gangster Oz Cobb on HBO’s The Penguin.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 27 Aug. 2025
In 1970s Detroit, an ex-con is out for revenge after being framed by a gangster for loving the wrong woman.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gangster
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
The next day, a pair of Russian gangsters, a tall one named Aleksei (Yuri Kolokolnikov) and a short one nicknamed Microbe (Nikita Kukushkin), come by looking for Russ and beat Hank nearly to death.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Colin Farrell earned raves, along with his first career Emmy nod, for playing Gotham gangster Oz Cobb on HBO’s The Penguin.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 27 Aug. 2025
In 1970s Detroit, an ex-con is out for revenge after being framed by a gangster for loving the wrong woman.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gangster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gangster
Noun
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We’re then introduced to Louie, a thug who works for a loan shark, threatening and killing people.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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Their neighbor, an older Jewish woman, gets arrested and Nazi thugs brazenly loot her apartment.—
Rabih Alameddine
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Vineland’s repressive villain Brock Vond ends ferried to hell by two Eastside vatos locos, while the hippie father Zoyd reunites with his daughter at an anarchist family picnic.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
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There are villains in every episode and the story uses them to showcase some societal issues.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were cast as the bumbling but dogged bandits, Harry and Marv, and Catherine O’Hara brought humor and compassion to the part of Kevin’s mother.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
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Are there ways that notorious bandits have successfully robbed banks?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With the help of an unpredictable assassin named Louie (Butler, who also plays the Pope), the pair embark on a dark and murderous journey to steal and authenticate the priceless work.—
Nada Aboul Kheir,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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The two Kill Bill films, while still about crime and criminals and ninja assassins, set themselves apart from his earlier works.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the 1970s, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was famously funded by mobsters, leading to years of legal drama.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
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Fisher was a straight-A student from the San Fernando Valley who stumbled into the modeling business after a chance encounter with an alleged mobster.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gangster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangster. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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