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thug

noun \ˈthəg\

: a violent criminal

Full Definition of THUG

: a brutal ruffian or assassin : gangster, tough

— thug·gery \ˈthə-g(ə-)rē\ noun

— thug·gish \ˈthə-gish\ adjective

See thug defined for English-language learners

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Origin of THUG

Hindi & Urdu ṭhag, literally, thief

First Known Use: 1810

Related to THUG

Synonyms: bully, gangbanger, gangsta, gangster, goon, gorilla, hood, hooligan, mobster, mug, plug-ugly, punk, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian, hoodlum, tough, toughie (also toughy), yob [British], yobbo [British]

Rhymes with THUG

bug, chug, drug, dug, fug, hug, jug, lug, mug, plug, pug, rug, shrug, slug, smug, snug, trug, tug, vug

THUG Defined for Kids

thug

noun \ˈthəg\

Definition of THUG for Kids

: a violent person or criminal

Learn More About THUG

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "thug"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "thug"

Nglish: Translation of "thug" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "thug" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "thug"

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