ruffianly
Like a brute
Ruffianly describes behavior, appearance, or manner characteristic of a ruffian—that is, brutal, lawless, or thuggish.
The word suggests violent disposition and disregard for civilized conduct.
His ruffianly companions made her uneasy.
The ruffianly treatment of prisoners sparked outrage.
It appears mostly in literary or historical contexts, having largely given way to more contemporary terms like thuggish or brutish.
Rough in texture
- brutishCruel and uncivilized
- loutishCrude and ill-mannered
- boorishCrudely ill-mannered
- crudeUnpolished, raw state
vulgar · churlish · oafish · uncivilized · crass · unrefined · gruff · ill-bred
Violent criminal
- hoodlumViolent young criminal
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
- hooliganViolent young troublemaker
delinquent · miscreant · outlaw · rogue · bandit · mobster · enforcer · bruiser
Hostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
- truculentAggressively hostile disposition
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
confrontational · violent · fierce · savage · brutish · menacing · threatening · assaultive
Noisy, disorderly behavior
- hooliganismViolent, disorderly behavior
- vandalismWillful property damage
- lawlessnessAbsence of governing rules
- thuggeryViolent criminal conduct
delinquency · misconduct · mayhem · rioting · brawling · troublemaking · rabble-rousing · disorderliness
Noisily disorderly
- unrulyDifficult to control
- boisterousNoisily cheerful and energetic
- riotousMarked by unrestrained disorder
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
raucous · obstreperous · rambunctious · rough · tumultuous · lawless · disruptive · out-of-control
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- browbeatingIntimidating with stern pressure
strong-arming · tyranny · oppression · victimization · torment · persecution · taunting · threatening
coarse
Rough in texture
crude · vulgar · churlish · oafish · uncivilized · crass · unrefined · gruff · ill-bred · thuggish
thug
Violent criminal
hooligan · delinquent · miscreant · outlaw · rogue · bandit · mobster · enforcer · bruiser · tough
belligerent
Hostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
- truculentAggressively hostile disposition
hostile · confrontational · violent · fierce · savage · brutish · menacing · threatening · assaultive · antagonistic
rowdiness
Noisy, disorderly behavior
- hooliganismViolent, disorderly behavior
- vandalismWillful property damage
- lawlessnessAbsence of governing rules
thuggery · delinquency · misconduct · mayhem · rioting · brawling · troublemaking · rabble-rousing · disorderliness · roughhousing
rowdy
Noisily disorderly
- unrulyDifficult to control
- boisterousNoisily cheerful and energetic
- riotousMarked by unrestrained disorder
wild · raucous · obstreperous · rambunctious · rough · tumultuous · lawless · disruptive · out-of-control · ungovernable
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
browbeating · strong-arming · tyranny · oppression · victimization · torment · persecution · taunting · threatening · menacing
ruffianlygentlemanly
Well-mannered and honorable
courteous · refined · polished · well-mannered · civilized
ruffianlynoble
Titled or virtuous
virtuous · honorable · upstanding · nonviolent · gentle