ruffian
Violent low character
A ruffian is a rough, lawless person given to violence or brutality.
The word has an old-fashioned, literary quality—you're more likely to encounter ruffians in Victorian novels than on the evening news: A gang of ruffians accosted him in the alley.
It suggests someone coarse and dangerous but perhaps not organized enough to be a proper criminal.
Criminal organization member
- mobsterOrganized crime member
- thugViolent criminal
- hoodlumViolent young criminal
- crookBent implement or criminal
felon · outlaw · bandit · robber · mugger · racketeer · hitman · brigand
Large, intimidating fighter
- brawlerHabitual fist-fighter
- toughDurable and strong
- muscleContractile body tissue
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
heavy · mauler · scrapper · strongman · gorilla · roughneck · hooligan · rowdy
Dishonest or uncontrolled agent
- knaveDishonest, unprincipled person
- villainWicked story antagonist
- blackguardContemptible, dishonest person
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
scalawag · miscreant · ne'er-do-well · reprobate · cad · wretch · good-for-nothing · delinquent
One who strikes first
- assailantOne who attacks another
- aggressorOne who initiates conflict
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- fiendCruel person or enthusiast
maniac · hothead · berserker · savage · barbarian · beast · monster · brute
One who threatens others
- tormentorOne who causes anguish
- oppressorOne who dominates cruelly
- menaceSource of potential harm
- aggressorOne who initiates conflict
harasser · terrorizer · persecutor · tyrant · browbeater · strong-arm · coercer · abuser
gangster
Criminal organization member
crook · felon · outlaw · bandit · robber · mugger · racketeer · hitman · brigand · highwayman
bruiser
Large, intimidating fighter
enforcer · heavy · mauler · scrapper · strongman · gorilla · roughneck · hooligan · rowdy · thug
rogue
Dishonest or uncontrolled agent
- knaveDishonest, unprincipled person
- villainWicked story antagonist
- blackguardContemptible, dishonest person
rapscallion · scalawag · miscreant · ne'er-do-well · reprobate · cad · wretch · good-for-nothing · delinquent · malefactor
attacker
One who strikes first
- assailantOne who attacks another
- aggressorOne who initiates conflict
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
fiend · maniac · hothead · berserker · savage · barbarian · beast · monster · brute · slasher
intimidator
One who threatens others
aggressor · harasser · terrorizer · persecutor · tyrant · browbeater · strong-arm · coercer · abuser · antagonist
- Victorianaseances, Dickens, spiritualism, Sherlock Holmes, phrenology
- Outlawsoutlaw, bandit, desperado, highwayman, robber
- roguesrogue, rogues, scoundrel, scoundrels, rascal
- scoundrelsscoundrel, rogue, knave, cad, villain
- tough guystough guys, tough guy, thug, thugs, enforcer
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
ruffiangentleman
Courteous, honorable man
lady · aristocrat · courtier · dandy · sophisticate