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
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Recent Examples of gangster
The Japanese criminal organization puts a hit out on Ju-yeong, and gangsters flock to the city to take him out.
—
Kayti Burt, Time, 21 July 2025
The audio clip has been used by Venezuelans to ridicule the widespread suggestion that everyone from the country is a gangster.
—Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 18 July 2025
Where to watch:Hulu 'Sinners' Ryan Coogler's sinfully good period musical gangster vampire horror flick is one of the best movies of the year, period.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Yet old legends linger, and people still talk about a lost city of the Everglades, where gangster Al Capone may have had an outpost.
—Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gangster
Kayti Burt, Time, 21 July 2025
The audio clip has been used by Venezuelans to ridicule the widespread suggestion that everyone from the country is a gangster.
—Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 18 July 2025
Where to watch:Hulu 'Sinners' Ryan Coogler's sinfully good period musical gangster vampire horror flick is one of the best movies of the year, period.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Yet old legends linger, and people still talk about a lost city of the Everglades, where gangster Al Capone may have had an outpost.
—Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gangster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gangster
Noun
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Peace isn’t easy to come by, though the motorcycle thugs who swing by to bully the locals and squeeze money out of the businesses don’t offer much resistance.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
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As the ship prepared to leave port, the G men arrived, handcuffed the thug and dragged him away.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Saturday Night Live alum, 31, and Beverly Hills Cop actor, 64, star in the action-comedy The Pickup as Travis and Russell, two security guards whose vehicle is hijacked by Zoe (Keke Palmer), a criminal on a mission to avenge her dad by robbing a casino.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Neighborhoods where residents get out and meet each other and know their law enforcement are safer and discourage criminals — that’s the thinking behind the National Night Out campaign.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Living with the aftermath Smollett in Episode 9 Courtesy of Apple TV+ Lehane never set out to create a simple morality tale with clear heroes and villains.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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An anonymous tipster called police to say the bandits were trying to sell their loot less than a mile away, and gave the cops Hussein’s Instagram handle, according to court filings.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
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Industrialists like Rockefeller and Carnegie weren’t worried about horseback bandits; their focus was on land rights, freight monopolies and who controlled the rails.—
Jodi Daniels,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The deal paves the way for new installments for Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne, a CIA assassin suffering from amnesia.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
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Bloodsport, being an assassin who has a change of heart and becomes a hero, while also having a deep rat phobia, was fantastic.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Themes will include a decaying conservatory, a vampire masquerade ball, 1920s mobsters amid radioactive cargo and a cat lady.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Aug. 2025
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From playing Italian mobsters to Shakespeare, Matthew and Nathanael Vaky view what’s happening in the United States with a mix of humor, frustration and hope.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gangster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangster. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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