as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the loan shark sent a couple of gorillas to "convince" him to pay up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gorilla
Gino the gorilla, a 27-year resident of the of the Florida theme park, was an opening-day animal and fathered 14 baby gorillas throughout his life.
—
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The actor-writer-directors kicked off their partnership with Sylvio, about a small-town gorilla joining a local TV show, only to see on-air mishaps spark a journey of self-discovery.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
John Mitani is a professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Michigan, whose studies over 45 years have included wild chimpanzees in Uganda and Tanzania; gibbons and orangutans in Indonesia, gorillas in Rwanda, and bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Sunglasses are the gorilla in eyewear trend conversations, but optical frames are coming into focus — making moves on red carpets, street style and runways alike, offering fresh ideas on how to update your frames.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gorilla
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The actor-writer-directors kicked off their partnership with Sylvio, about a small-town gorilla joining a local TV show, only to see on-air mishaps spark a journey of self-discovery.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
John Mitani is a professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Michigan, whose studies over 45 years have included wild chimpanzees in Uganda and Tanzania; gibbons and orangutans in Indonesia, gorillas in Rwanda, and bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Sunglasses are the gorilla in eyewear trend conversations, but optical frames are coming into focus — making moves on red carpets, street style and runways alike, offering fresh ideas on how to update your frames.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gorilla
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gorilla
Noun
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Girls were there and there were guys that were really extra on some thug, some goon sh*t.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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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
Noun
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She's gone toe to toe with Marvel villains, T-rexes and Bill Murray.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Race is one of many concerns in Vineland, but One Battle After Another sets itself apart as a studio film with vividly, absurdly ugly racist villains, arguing satirically but unflinchingly that white supremacy continues to be the guiding principle for American power.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In The Three Amigos, a trio of American actors who have played heroic gunslingers in a series of popular silent films, are accidentally hired by the villagers of Santa Poco to protect them from the villainous bandit leader, El Guapo, who kidnaps a beautiful villager to be his unwilling bride.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket NFL fans can make out like bandits with the DraftKings Sportsbook welcome offer.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Caldovino plays New York City gangster Goodie in season 3 of Tulsa King, jumping from a recurring player to a series regular.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
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Now is the time to push back in defense of free speech – as strongly and as publicly as the gangsters on the left and right are threatening to revoke it.—
Onkar Ghate,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Or Florian Geyer, a noble who also led peasant armies and was finally knifed by an assassin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
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Kimmel also praised Kirk’s widow, Erika, for speaking at Sunday’s memorial service about forgiving her husband’s assassin.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The immediate impact on public opinion is hard to gauge, but, as the war went on, the picture came to stand for the belief that in supporting South Vietnam, the United States was supporting war criminals.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
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Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favorite criminal.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Plus, Jude Law brings his movie star charisma as the swaggering pirate captain Jod Na Nawood, who helps the kids find their way back home (for reasons far from mere goodwill).—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
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Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best pirate costume.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Take a peek under the hood, though, and its best win is either Iowa State over Iowa or Baylor and TCU over SMU.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The pockets are ample, and the hood is tightened with a drawstring.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gorilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gorilla. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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