hoodlum 🔊
Meaning of hoodlum
A hoodlum is a violent criminal or troublemaker, often involved in petty crimes or gang-related activities.
Key Difference
Hoodlum specifically implies a rough, often young criminal, whereas synonyms may vary in intensity, formality, or context of criminal behavior.
Example of hoodlum
- The police arrested a hoodlum for vandalizing the subway station.
- Local shop owners complained about hoodlums loitering near their stores.
Synonyms
thug 🔊
Meaning of thug
A violent person, especially a criminal.
Key Difference
Thug often implies brute force and intimidation, while a hoodlum may be seen as more of a petty criminal.
Example of thug
- The thug threatened the bystanders with a knife.
- Organized crime groups often employ thugs to enforce their rules.
delinquent 🔊
Meaning of delinquent
A young person who regularly breaks the law or engages in antisocial behavior.
Key Difference
Delinquent often refers to youthful offenders, while a hoodlum can be of any age.
Example of delinquent
- The school implemented new programs to help reform juvenile delinquents.
- The delinquent was caught stealing from a convenience store.
gangster 🔊
Meaning of gangster
A member of an organized crime group.
Key Difference
Gangster implies affiliation with a criminal organization, whereas a hoodlum may act independently.
Example of gangster
- The gangster was known for his involvement in illegal gambling.
- Prohibition-era gangsters like Al Capone became infamous.
ruffian 🔊
Meaning of ruffian
A violent, lawless person.
Key Difference
Ruffian has an old-fashioned tone and may imply rowdy behavior rather than organized crime.
Example of ruffian
- The ruffian was thrown out of the bar for starting a fight.
- Victorian novels often featured ruffians as antagonists.
hooligan 🔊
Meaning of hooligan
A disruptive or violent young person, often in a group.
Key Difference
Hooligan is commonly associated with unruly group behavior, especially in sports, while a hoodlum may act alone.
Example of hooligan
- Soccer hooligans clashed with police after the match.
- The park was closed early to prevent hooligans from causing trouble.
outlaw 🔊
Meaning of outlaw
A person who has broken the law and lives outside legal authority.
Key Difference
Outlaw has a romanticized, historical connotation, unlike the more modern and gritty hoodlum.
Example of outlaw
- Billy the Kid was a famous outlaw of the Wild West.
- The sheriff vowed to capture the outlaw hiding in the mountains.
criminal 🔊
Meaning of criminal
A person who commits illegal activities.
Key Difference
Criminal is a broad, neutral term, while hoodlum suggests a more disreputable, street-level offender.
Example of criminal
- The criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison for fraud.
- Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
miscreant 🔊
Meaning of miscreant
A person who behaves badly or breaks the law.
Key Difference
Miscreant is a more formal or literary term, whereas hoodlum is colloquial.
Example of miscreant
- The judge scolded the miscreant for his repeated offenses.
- Medieval tales often featured miscreants being punished for their deeds.
goon 🔊
Meaning of goon
A hired thug or enforcer, often lacking intelligence.
Key Difference
Goon implies a lack of independent agency, often working for someone else, while a hoodlum may act on their own.
Example of goon
- The mob boss sent his goons to intimidate the witness.
- Cartoon villains are often accompanied by bumbling goons.
Conclusion
- Hoodlum is best used when referring to a street-level troublemaker or petty criminal.
- Thug can be used when emphasizing violent intimidation.
- Delinquent is appropriate for young offenders, especially in legal or reform contexts.
- Gangster should be used when referring to organized crime members.
- Ruffian fits historical or literary contexts involving rowdy behavior.
- Hooligan is ideal for describing unruly group behavior, especially in sports.
- Outlaw carries a historical or romanticized tone, unlike hoodlum.
- Criminal is a neutral, all-purpose term for lawbreakers.
- Miscreant works in formal or literary descriptions of wrongdoers.
- Goon is best when referring to a hired enforcer or lackey.