as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
a gang of ruffians preying upon people who ventured into that section of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruffian
The series has lent a cinematic gangster attraction to the Peaky Blinders, yet the term itself was not one gang — as depicted in the show — but a generic expression from the late 19th century for the ‘street ruffians’ of Birmingham, born out of the city’s ring of poverty.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2026
In fact, the GTW ruffians have to give the Big Honey some props for his relative restraint in the heat of the moment.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Ciri, unbeknowest to her surrogate ma and pa, is free of her Nilfgaardian captors and on the run with a band of adolescent ruffians, and perhaps figuring out how to take care of herself.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
When both young people meet their end the Baron saves Christina by putting Hans’ brain in Christina’s body, uniting their blurred identities in a joint thirst for revenge, creating a Gothic avenger who hunts down the aristocratic ruffians who ruined their happiness.
—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffian
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2026
In fact, the GTW ruffians have to give the Big Honey some props for his relative restraint in the heat of the moment.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Ciri, unbeknowest to her surrogate ma and pa, is free of her Nilfgaardian captors and on the run with a band of adolescent ruffians, and perhaps figuring out how to take care of herself.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
When both young people meet their end the Baron saves Christina by putting Hans’ brain in Christina’s body, uniting their blurred identities in a joint thirst for revenge, creating a Gothic avenger who hunts down the aristocratic ruffians who ruined their happiness.
—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffian
Noun
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Ditto Hugh Jackman’s unerring performance — perhaps his finest dramatic work yet — as a savage, unfeeling thug and unrepentant murderer and thief.
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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
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Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
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The performance earned her the award for best villain at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.
Noun
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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.
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That creates the perfect opening for criminals.
Noun
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Toph has to integrate being a Beifong with being this rough, tough earthbender who is the blind bandit.
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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
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The 16 reputed gangsters or aspiring gangsters charged in the indictment range in age from 19 to 24.
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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
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Kara’s after Krem, too, after the space pirate poisons Krypto the Superdog and has the antidote to save him.
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As a pirate assassin and post-apocalyptic warrior, Krem of the Yellow Hills connects with Aries.
Noun
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As a pirate assassin and post-apocalyptic warrior, Krem of the Yellow Hills connects with Aries.
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The report’s key finding was that an odd, angry, 24-year-old assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, had acted alone, for reasons nobody could quite figure out.
Noun
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Unlike some other luggage tags, this option only displays your name, keeping the rest of your information shielded from curious onlookers and potential thieves.
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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
“Ruffian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffian. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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