Standard Lemma guide

thuggish

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈθʌɡɪʃ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ʌɡɪʃ

1

adj

Meaning 1

Characterized by thuggery; behaving in a violent or intimidating way; appearing to be violent or intimidating.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory

Examples

  • Their thuggish manner made continuing negotiations very difficult.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Resembling or characteristic of the assassins known as thugs or thuggees (often capitalized in this sense).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English thug Proto-Indo-European *-iskos Proto-Germanic *-iskaz Proto-West Germanic *-isk Old English -isċ Middle English -ish English -ish English thuggish From thug + -ish.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kovanaamainen — Translations
  • French: brutal — Translations
  • French: violent — Translations
  • Polish: bandycki — Translations
  • Polish: chuligański — Translations