as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the loan shark sent a couple of gorillas to "convince" him to pay up
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 gorilla
For instance, gorillas and orangutans have been shown to be less active, less agile and less behaviorally nuanced than chimpanzees.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
This can happen only when the public around you is more than just the person in the gorilla suit who usually shows up to these things.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
AudioQuest, the 800-pound gorilla of the industry, makes a full range of products at all price points from affordable to just-plain-silly.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
In 2017, a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto that looked like Harambe, the famous gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016, sold for $99,900 on eBay.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gorilla
Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
This can happen only when the public around you is more than just the person in the gorilla suit who usually shows up to these things.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
AudioQuest, the 800-pound gorilla of the industry, makes a full range of products at all price points from affordable to just-plain-silly.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025
In 2017, a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto that looked like Harambe, the famous gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016, sold for $99,900 on eBay.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gorilla
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gorilla
Noun
-
The British consul wants to smuggle the seal out of China, with the help of a group of local thugs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
-
As the machine gun thug tries to seal that deal for Whitman, Cara attempts to get him in her rifle's sights.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Whereas Serena could easily have emerged as a one-note villain, from the beginning of her tenure on the series, Strahovski has imbued Serena with a soulfulness that often puts the audience uncomfortably on her side, despite her reprehensible actions.—
Scarlett Harris,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Even when a big threat does arrive on the scene, the heroes aren't there right away, so plenty of innocent people get hurt before a villain gets brought to justice.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Players will have to keep an eye out for bandits and other hostiles in the area.—
Gieson Cacho,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
-
With Kelby Collins coming in as a transfer, there’s enough depth at bandit for Latham to spend more time at wolf.—
Kennington Smith III,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Mel Novak, the great movie villain known for his slick turns as the sniper Stick in Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, the gangster Blue Eyes in Jim Kelly’s Black Belt Jones and the informant Tony Montoya in Chuck Norris’ An Eye for an Eye, has died.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
-
What begins as a deep Southern gangster period piece soon transforms into a harrowing fight for survival and spiritual freedom against a ruthless clan of vampires.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And early intensity gave way to a late-game assassin.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Bruce Glover, the unorthodox actor who portrayed Mr. Wint, the assassin with the distinctive aftershave who partnered with Putter Smith’s Mr. Kidd in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, has died.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Learning of such proactivity reminds me of how cutting-edge cybersecurity firms now use AI to go on the offensive against criminals.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
This exemption obligates the IRS to assist law enforcement in the pursuit of criminals and will be used against any migrant who has overstayed for more than 90 days as part of the carveout.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The scene in Richard Donner's 1985 adventure comedy The Goonies in which the ragtag group of child explorers finally uncover the mythic pirate ship is one of the film's most unforgettable.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Chan plays Sergeant Dragon Ma, a police officer battling both pirates and gangsters in Hong Kong, and corruption within his law enforcement ranks.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Foose gave the classic Chrysler a modern suspension, dropped a new Hellcat Hemi engine under the hood, and everything mechanically is brand new.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
All my phases and influences were there too: raver, goth-lite, sporty, hood and hippie.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gorilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gorilla. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share