Synonyms of ruffians

ruffians

noun

plural of ruffian

as in thugs

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

• thugs
• criminals
• bandits
• gangsters
• villains
• pirates
• assassins
• thieves
• hoodlums
• hooligans
• rowdies
• offenders
• toughs
• mobsters
• bullies
• punks
• goons
• gorillas
• roughnecks
• hoods
• gangbangers
• yobbos
• yobs
• gangstas
• scoundrels
• toughies
• perpetrators
• robbers
• brigands
• highwaymen
• outlaws
• desperadoes
• cutthroats
• plug-uglies
• crooks
• lawbreakers
• felons
• gunmen
• swindlers
• racketeers
• malefactors
• mugs
• vandals
• mafiosi
• pickpockets
• bravos
• juvenile delinquents
• perps
• tearaways

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ruffians

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