What is another word for ruffians?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌfi͡ənz] (IPA)

Ruffians are rough, tough, swaggering, and often violent individuals who are involved in criminal or hoodlum activities. They can also be referred to as brutes, thugs, hooligans, bullies, hoodlums, gangsters, roughnecks, toughs, or goons. They are typically known for their uncivilized, aggressive, and intimidating behavior, and they often instill fear in the people around them. Synonyms for ruffians can also include bandits, delinquents, rowdies, troublemakers, miscreants, and ne'er-do-wells. These individuals are often a menace to society, and law enforcement officials have to be on their guard to maintain public safety.

What are the hypernyms for Ruffians?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

Usage examples for Ruffians

All kinds of ruffians are about.
"The Furnace"
Rose Macaulay
Three junks, each manned by thirty or forty ruffians, surrounded the "Caldera."
"A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas"
Fanny Loviot
He was held up by two ruffians between what are now called Third, and Fourth Avenues.
"Memoirs of Orange Jacobs"
Orange Jacobs

Famous quotes with Ruffians

  • A group of pagan ruffians and pirates had gained possession of an effective military and naval machine, but they faced a mass of formidable veterans whom they had to feed and manage, and for whom they must provide killings. Such men make plans, and certainly their descent upon England was one of the most carefully considered and elaborately prepared villainies of that dark time.
    Winston Churchill
  • Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.
    Thomas Paine
  • During the LA riots English people were trying to sympathize with me, "Oh Bill, crime is If it's any consolation, crime is awful here, too." Shut up. This is Hobbiton and I'm Bill-bo Hicks … You gotta see English crime. It's hilarious. You don't know if you're reading the front page or the comic section over there. I swear to God. I read an article front page of the paper one day, in England: "Yesterday, some hooligans knocked over a dustbin in Shaftesbury." … Wooooo. The hooligans are loose! The hooligans are loose! … What if they become ruffians? I would hate to be a dustbin in Shaftesbury tonight. [] "No one knows what it's like … to be a dustbin … in Shaftesbury … with hooligans …"
    Bill Hicks

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