thug

/θʌɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /θʌɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthəg/ (ame, mw)

thug — noun

  • thugsingular
  • thugsplural

1. a person who uses violence or the threat of violence to frighten others, especia

1.名詞B1
釋義

a person who uses violence or the threat of violence to frighten others, especially in order to commit crimes or get what they want

例句

A group of thugs attacked Mr. Okonkwo outside his shop last night.

attacked + person / place — typical violent action

The politician accused the security guards of behaving like hired thugs.

hired thugs — collocation for paid enforcers

同義詞
  • gangster

    implies membership in an organised criminal group, not just any violent individual

  • bully

    less severe; focuses on intimidation rather than physical violence or crime

  • hoodlum

    dated US slang; suggests a young person involved in minor crime

反義詞
  • peacemaker

    someone who actively stops conflict rather than starting it

  • victim

    the person who suffers from a thug's violence

文法句型

thug + verb (active in crime/violence)

thug + noun modifier (e.g. street thug)

用法筆記

Frequently appears in news reports about street crime and political violence. Can describe both individual criminals and organised groups. Often carries strong moral disapproval.

常見錯誤

❌A thug stole my wallet while I wasn't looking.
✅A thief stole my wallet while I wasn't looking.
💡'thug' implies violence or intimidation; a pickpocket or sneak thief is not a thug.
❌The company hired thugs to clean the offices.
✅The company hired cleaners to clean the offices.
💡'thug' is not a neutral word for a worker; use it only for violent enforcers.