bruiser
Big rough fellow
A bruiser is a big, tough person—someone who looks like they could handle themselves in a fight.
The word suggests physical intimidation without necessarily implying violence: The bouncer was a real bruiser.
It can be used affectionately for a rough-and-tumble child or admiringly for an imposing athlete.
Habitual fist-fighter
- pugilistProfessional fist fighter
- boxerCombat sport competitor
- scrapperPugnacious combatant
- sluggerPowerful baseball batter
heavyweight · prizefighter · streetfighter · roughhouser · combatant · battler · puncher · knockout artist
Venue entrance enforcer
- bodyguardPaid personal security agent
- heavyOf great mass
- thugViolent criminal
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
muscleman · henchman · tough · strongman · hired muscle · leg-breaker · collector · intimidator
One who brings down
- linebackerSecond-level defensive position
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
- power forwardFrontcourt basketball position
slugger · hitter · blocker · defenseman · checking · hard-hitting · bone-crushing · jarring
Physically powerful, well-muscled
- burlyHeavily muscled and broad
- stockyShort and solidly built
- heavysetThick-bodied and sturdy
- thicksetHeavily and solidly built
hulking · muscular · hefty · strapping · robust · sturdy · husky · barrel-chested
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- scaryCausing fright
imposing · daunting · fierce · aggressive · hard-nosed · no-nonsense · gruff · glowering
brawler
Habitual fist-fighter
slugger · heavyweight · prizefighter · streetfighter · roughhouser · combatant · battler · puncher · knockout artist · bare-knuckle
bouncer
Venue entrance enforcer
goon · muscleman · henchman · tough · strongman · hired muscle · leg-breaker · collector · intimidator · strongarm
tackler
One who brings down
- linebackerSecond-level defensive position
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
power forward · slugger · hitter · blocker · defenseman · checking · hard-hitting · bone-crushing · jarring · punishing
brawny
Physically powerful, well-muscled
thickset · hulking · muscular · hefty · strapping · robust · sturdy · husky · barrel-chested · broad-shouldered
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- fearsomeCausing intense alarm
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
scary · imposing · daunting · fierce · aggressive · hard-nosed · no-nonsense · gruff · glowering · scowling
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- game roleshealer, tank, DPS, mage, warrior
- tough guystough guys, tough guy, thug, thugs, enforcer
- badassesaction hero, warrior, fighter, tough guy, daredevil
- machomachismo, macho man, alpha male, tough guy, bravado
- tough peopletough guy, tough cookie, tough nut, badass, fighter
bruiserweakling
Feeble person
runt · wimp · shrimp · pushover · featherweight
- bruised egoHurt self-regard
- bruised upShowing injury discoloration
- bruised ribsInjured bones protecting lungs
- cruising for a bruisingInviting inevitable harm
- bruised fruitProduce with impact marks
- bruise cream