thuggish
Like a goon
Thuggish describes behavior or appearance suggesting a thug—menacing, brutish, or inclined toward violence.
It often characterizes intimidating physical presence or aggressive demeanor: thuggish bodyguards, thuggish tactics.
The word can carry racial undertones when applied selectively, though it also describes anyone who seems to threaten violence: The debt collectors took a thuggish approach.
Organized crime member
- hoodlumViolent young criminal
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- hitmanProfessional paid murderer
racketeer · criminal · hood · muscle · henchman · strongarm · gangbanger · ruffian
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
aggressive · hostile · fearsome · frightening · overbearing · heavy-handed · imposing · forceful
mobster
Organized crime member
hitman · racketeer · criminal · hood · muscle · henchman · strongarm · gangbanger · ruffian · tough
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
domineering · aggressive · hostile · fearsome · frightening · overbearing · heavy-handed · imposing · forceful · belligerent
savage
Fierce and untamed
ruthless · violent · ferocious · brutish · pitiless · heartless · sadistic · callous · remorseless · bloodthirsty
boorish
Crudely ill-mannered
vulgar · brutish · oafish · churlish · crass · uncivilized · rough · gruff · unrefined · lowbrow
thuggishgentle
Soft and kind
polite · mild-mannered · courteous · meek · soft-spoken
thuggishrefined
Purified or cultured
sophisticated · cultivated · elegant · polished · genteel