thug

[ thuhg ]

noun

1. a violent, lawless, or vicious person, especially one who commits a crime such as assault, robbery, or murder:

   It wasn't uncommon for hired thugs to intimidate shop owners until they paid up.

2. (sometimes initial capital letter) one of a former group of professional robbers and murderers in India who strangled their victims.

thug

/ θʌɡ /

noun

1. a tough and violent man, esp a criminal
2. sometimes capital (formerly) a member of an organization of robbers and assassins in India who typically strangled their victims

Usage Note

The word thug has had racial and cultural overtones since its adoption into the English language. It entered English during the British colonial period to describe a particular gang of criminals in India, but from the beginning, the otherness of the Indian robbers was intrinsic to the narrative about British colonial victims. In American English, the word is disproportionately applied to nonwhite perpetrators of violence or crime. White teens disturbing the peace at a party with loud music are more likely to be called troublemakers or hooligans. Their Black peers are more likely to be labeled thugs for the same offense. And following this common racialized usage, thug is used by some and interpreted by many as a code word for Black. In extreme cases, thug is chosen as a dog whistle to imply that Black people are generally prone to violence or criminality. However, there is also a reclaimed sense of thug within the Black community, and particularly in the hip-hop community, one that acknowledges the violence implicit in the label while also celebrating toughness and street smarts. Because thug has many implied connotations that may change depending on who is using the word and who is being described by it, it’s important to critically consider the context and tone around each particular instance of its use to truly understand what is being communicated.

Derived Forms

• ˈthuggish, adjective
• ˈthuggery, noun

Other Words From

• thug·ger·y [thuhg, -, uh, -ree], noun
• thug·gish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thug¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Hindi, Marathi ṭhag “swindler, cheat, rogue,” perhaps from Sanskrit sthaga- “a cheat,” from sthagati “he conceals”

Word History and Origins

Origin of thug¹

C19: from Hindi thag thief, from Sanskrit sthaga scoundrel, from sthagati to conceal

Example Sentences

The pair were demanding action against Paty, who they condemned as a "thug" and wanted removed.

From BBC

Audrey F said that while she had tried to focus the conversation on the girl's exclusion from school, Abdelhakim Sefrioui had taken the lead, refusing to allow freedom of expression to be used by a "thug".

From BBC

Before long, he had booked roles as a Greek god in “Clash of the Titans,” a thug in Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” and lovestruck farmer Andy in Stephen Frears’ “Tamara Drewe.”

From Los Angeles Times

Atlanta rapper Young Thug has pleaded guilty to participating in criminal street gang activity, a surprise twist that could end the musician's long-running trial, US media report.

From BBC

In another instance, the court's Zoom account was hacked into by someone who yelled "free Thug!"

From BBC

Related Words

• assassin
• bandit
• bully
• criminal
• gangster
• goon
• gunman
• hooligan
• mobster
• murderer
• rowdy
• troublemaker