as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
a couple of hoodlums held up the convenience store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hoodlum
However, their dreams are threatened by the hoodlums in the Riverbottom Gang.
—
EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
During the same year, Lansky joined Mafia hoodlum Joe Adonis in the operation of a major bootleg liquor operation in New York, apparently his first close association with the Mafia.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Those secrets created De Niro’s glorified and most memorable street hoodlums and now befuddle his current crazy-man public image.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
Some people told his family that Pereda went to a movie that night and a hoodlum told him someone outside wanted to see him.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hoodlum
EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
During the same year, Lansky joined Mafia hoodlum Joe Adonis in the operation of a major bootleg liquor operation in New York, apparently his first close association with the Mafia.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Those secrets created De Niro’s glorified and most memorable street hoodlums and now befuddle his current crazy-man public image.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
Some people told his family that Pereda went to a movie that night and a hoodlum told him someone outside wanted to see him.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hoodlum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoodlum
Noun
-
Their reckless, soft-on-crime policies emboldened criminals and thugs; wreaked havoc on the sanctity of our homes, businesses, and public spaces; instilled fear; and jeopardized public trust.—
Jenna deJong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
-
That theft is believed to have led to the brazen kidnapping in suburban Connecticut of the parents of one of Lam’s alleged co-conspirators by a crew of thugs from Florida who prosecutors say planned to hold the parents for ransom from their newly rich son.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Locomotive, which is currently in Cannes with pics such as gangster comedy Café 404 and Richard Strauss’ Deadline, has also secured deals for In the Fire of War with unnamed buyers in the likes of Poland and Germany.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
-
Colby is a gangster wannabe, and Niro has become a lawman, leaving the 'street rat' life behind.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Or even those Californians, such as many in San Francisco and Los Angeles, who are just fed up with the perception that California is soft on criminals.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
The Forgotten Gender Nonconformists of the Old West Livia Gershon April 27, 2018 In the Old West, cross-dressing was sometimes a disguise for criminals on the lam.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps this is why it was never required viewing in my household; there was no darker notion than our hero potentially being a villain.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
-
But the new villain is smarter than the IMF assumed, and the mission has disastrous results.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
But after a bandit attack leaves the children orphaned, the son dies.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
To make matters worse, it is hosted by former Family Feud kissing bandit Richard Dawson (who, let the record show, is a fantastic movie villain).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hoodlum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoodlum. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share