goons
Mob's rough crew
Goons are thugs or enforcers, typically hired to intimidate or rough people up: The boss sent his goons to collect the debt.
The word suggests menacing but not particularly bright muscle.
In hockey, a goon is a player whose main role is fighting rather than skill.
Goon can also mean any foolish or clumsy person, though the hired-muscle sense dominates.
Violent criminals
- henchmenLoyal subordinates to wrongdoers
- muscleContractile body tissue
- heaviesMenacing tough guys
- bruisersLarge intimidating people
hired muscle · strongmen · bodyguards · intimidators · tough guys · leg-breakers · bouncers · enforcers
Foolish, comical people
- idiotsThoroughly foolish people
- foolsIdiots or deceives
- dimwitsFoolish, unintelligent people
- minionsObedient subordinates of power
lackeys · stooges · bunglers · clumsy · hapless · bumbling · inept · underlings
Animated or humorous illustration
- PopeyeSpinach-eating cartoon sailor
- surrealDreamlike and strange
- bizarreStrikingly unconventional
- creatureLiving, sentient entity
character · comic strip · animation · vintage · classic · rubbery · grotesque · 1930s
One who ensures compliance
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- brawlerHabitual fist-fighter
- penalty boxHockey infraction seating area
- checkingAct of verification
roughhousing · fists · ice · tough guy · intimidation · pugilism · scrapper · power play
thugs
Violent criminals
bruisers · hired muscle · strongmen · bodyguards · intimidators · tough guys · leg-breakers · bouncers · enforcers · mobsters
buffoons
Foolish, comical people
minions · lackeys · stooges · bunglers · clumsy · hapless · bumbling · inept · underlings · flunkies
cartoon
Animated or humorous illustration
creature · character · comic strip · animation · vintage · classic · rubbery · grotesque · 1930s · slapstick
enforcer
One who ensures compliance
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- brawlerHabitual fist-fighter
- penalty boxHockey infraction seating area
checking · roughhousing · fists · ice · tough guy · intimidation · pugilism · scrapper · power play · bench
goonsbrains
Mental capacity, informally
mastermind · boss · kingpin · strategist · ringleader
goonsweaklings
Physically or mentally feeble people
wimps · pushovers · nerds · milquetoasts · softies
goonsprotectors
Those who guard others
heroes · guardians · defenders · peacekeepers · saints
- goon squadHired thugs as group