as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
a couple of hoodlums held up the convenience store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 hoodlum
These involve raiding the lairs of hoodlum rivals, then singlehandedly dissuading them from competition.
—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Aleah and Grasso end up saving Lizzie’s ass and capturing the hoodlums.
—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
However, hoodlums and thugs who throw objects at the players give up their rights and should be removed, charged, and possibly jailed.
—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Aug. 2025
Somehow, that makes the notion of hoodlums stopping by to order Shnack Wrapz and Cheezecake Shakez and then pillage our neighorhoods seem even more unlikely.
—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hoodlum
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Aleah and Grasso end up saving Lizzie’s ass and capturing the hoodlums.
—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
However, hoodlums and thugs who throw objects at the players give up their rights and should be removed, charged, and possibly jailed.
—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Aug. 2025
Somehow, that makes the notion of hoodlums stopping by to order Shnack Wrapz and Cheezecake Shakez and then pillage our neighorhoods seem even more unlikely.
—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hoodlum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoodlum
Noun
-
Ditto Hugh Jackman’s unerring performance — perhaps his finest dramatic work yet — as a savage, unfeeling thug and unrepentant murderer and thief.
-
The actions of these thugs, who should be imprisoned for a long while, is the cause of denying real Knicks fans the chance to watch the game communally.
Noun
-
The 16 reputed gangsters or aspiring gangsters charged in the indictment range in age from 19 to 24.
-
That’s not to say that there aren’t some similarities between the Gotham City gangster in The Penguin and Los Angeles private investigator of Sugar.
Noun
-
What begins as a chance to escape the routine of his everyday life quickly spirals into a dangerous gathering of powerful criminals, old enemies, and unresolved loyalties.
-
That creates the perfect opening for criminals.
Noun
-
The immigrant-threat frame offers a quicker villain and a simpler solution to persistent social problems such as violent crime.
-
The new production will follow Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo from their comic book origins to becoming global pop culture icons, battling familiar villains along the way.
Noun
-
Toph has to integrate being a Beifong with being this rough, tough earthbender who is the blind bandit.
-
The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in the forest when being pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham.
Noun
-
Unlike some other luggage tags, this option only displays your name, keeping the rest of your information shielded from curious onlookers and potential thieves.
-
Last year, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that thieves had pried off a bronze plaque dedicating the building to the history of philadelphia from its main entrance.
Cite this Entry
“Hoodlum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoodlum. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
