hoodlum

Young criminal type

A hoodlum is a rough, lawless person—a petty criminal or street thug.

The word suggests someone who engages in vandalism, violence, or intimidation rather than sophisticated crime: A gang of hoodlums smashed the storefront windows.

Often shortened to hood in casual speech.

outlaw

bandit

Armed roadside thief

fugitive · renegade · criminal · lawbreaker · crook · felon · convict · offender · malefactor · wrongdoer

gangster

mobster

Organized crime member

  • mafiosoOrganized crime syndicate member
  • capoString-shortening clamp device
  • godfatherMale baptismal guardian

underboss · consigliere · hitman · enforcer · don · wiseguy · kingpin · lieutenant · associate · soldier

ruffian

bully

Habitual intimidator

  • hooliganViolent young troublemaker
  • rowdyNoisily disorderly
  • loutCrude, ill-mannered person

yob · chav · roughhouse · scrapper · street fighter · aggressor · rogue · scoundrel · villain · blackguard

delinquent

juvenile

Young person or animal

wayward · rebel · vandal · tearaway · young offender · ne'er-do-well · rapscallion · hellion · scamp · scofflaw

thug

bruiser

Large, intimidating fighter

enforcer · tough · strongarm · roughneck · brawler · bouncer · bodyguard · hired muscle · knuckle-dragger · leg-breaker

Categories
Opposites
moral character and lawfulness

hoodlumhero

One admired for courage

saint · do-gooder · pillar of the community · straight arrow · goody-goody

social respectability and status

hoodlumgentleman

Courteous, honorable man

lady · pillar of society · dignitary · aristocrat · pillar of the community

relationship to authority and order

hoodlumpolice officer

Law enforcement agent

peacekeeper · officer of the law · law enforcement · good citizen · cop

Family

hoodlums

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG