gangster

[ gang-ster ]

noun

1. a member of a gang of criminals, especially a racketeer in an organized crime syndicate.

   Synonyms: goon, hood, thug, crook, hoodlum, mobster

gangster

/ ˈɡæŋstə /

noun

1. a member of an organized gang of criminals, esp one who resorts to violence

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangster¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; gang ¹ + -ster

Example Sentences

She said her twin was "shot like a gangster" in her own home, adding: "This gun crime has ripped a hole in my family and there is nothing we can do about it."

From BBC

For the Irish media, the weekend's most irresistible story concerned an accused Dublin gangster known as Gerry "The Monk" Hutch, who came startlingly close to winning a seat in Dáil Éireann, the national parliament.

From Salon

Arguably a flaw in the movie that it never fully acknowledges how the conceit might have encouraged the gangsters’ showboating.

From New York Times

“Being a gangster of a certain experience since I’ve been to prison, I know who I can talk to,” he says, relishing his defiant status.

From Los Angeles Times

The solution here is not for the Democrats to chase the Republicans to the right by becoming more corporatist and embracing neoliberalism and gangster capitalism even more.

From Salon

Related Words

• bandit
• criminal
• crook
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• mobster
• racketeer
• robber
• soldier
• thug