GOONS Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

goons

noun

plural of goon

as in idiots

a stupid person an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him "brainless goons"

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as in thugs

a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang the crime boss threatened to send the goons after him if he squealed

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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 goons Farage has indeed been targeted for public attacks by political goons for years. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026 But goons roaming the streets, vandalizing property and causing mayhem must not be tolerated. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026 The best of them is saved for last, and works in spite of the film’s struggle to make its sociopathic main villain (Joey Iwanaga) as interesting as its colorful array of goons. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 June 2026 The group’s funhouse palettes and repertoire of sweaty, pustulant goons tapped into the nation’s nauseous psyche. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Packed with clashing Nazi goons and ice-cold blaxploitation paragons of extralegal justice, this season went inexplicably Tarantino, opening up arteries but also opportunities for a great actor to shine. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 June 2026 But Kornev is young and infused with an idealistic zeal, refusing to let these goons stonewall him. — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 Willa eludes Lockjaw's goons with the help of Deandra (Regina Hall), a French 75 member, and finds refuge with the Sisters of the Brave Beaver, a convent of sympathetic (if exhausted) nuns. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026 Now, fresh reporting by the New York Times documents the wild ride that turned a group of crypto goons into a national laughing stock. — Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for goons

Noun

In McBride’s work, collections of idiots and unlikable misfits strive for power and achievement and are inevitably foiled by their own flaws.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
This isn't the first time athletes have ever had to deal with mean fans, or online trolls, or idiots behind a keyboard.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of idiots

Noun

Threatening to limit mail-in voting, adding ridiculous ID requirements, or staging thugs at polling places are other possible ways to convince you to stay home.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2026
To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.

— DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

Definition of thugs

Noun

There are complicated brain-chemistry factors involved that have to do with testosterone, and dopaminergic systems, and kappa-opioid receptors, all of which seem to add up to a Jim Gaffigan joke about how men are morons compared with their wives.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026

Definition of morons

Noun

California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
This lengthy process was typical of ICE’s previous procedures to track down criminals, Sandweg said, which may have shifted under the demands of this administration’s daily arrest goals.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of criminals

Noun

In each, the protagonist(s) will be sought by both police and gangsters yet will lose their own money and have to get along without any while on the run.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Definition of gangsters

Noun

Instead, most are romantic stories about young lovers separated by fate, and the rest are swashbuckling adventures full of bandits and pirates.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Fantastical adventures ensue as the pair encounter a mysterious woman, Alexandra, who has lost her son, along with coyotes, bandits, and some pretty big secrets.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026

Definition of bandits

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goons

goop

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“Goons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goons. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of goons

noun

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