as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
London bobbies clearing the streets of hooligans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hooligan
These hooligans have been depicted and glamourised in cult British films Green Street and The Football Factory.
—
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
After desecrating a sacred temple, some hooligans must face the supernatural consequences of their hate crime.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
Even hooligans were amenable to police dialogue.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
Last Saturday, Lille hooligans brawled with Toulouse and PSG hooligans — who have an alliance — in the city center the night before Toulouse’s home game with Toulouse.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hooligan
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
After desecrating a sacred temple, some hooligans must face the supernatural consequences of their hate crime.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
Even hooligans were amenable to police dialogue.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
Last Saturday, Lille hooligans brawled with Toulouse and PSG hooligans — who have an alliance — in the city center the night before Toulouse’s home game with Toulouse.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hooligan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooligan
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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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
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Players will have to keep an eye out for bandits and other hostiles in the area.—
Gieson Cacho,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
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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
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Children meet superheroes and villains, engage with games and movies, and are greeted by staff in costume.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The soul patch, villain, and walrus facial hair all work with masks while mutton chops and chin curtain don’t.—
Lisa Wood Shapiro,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The gang specialized in hijacking cars and guarding bootleg liquor shipments for other hoodlums during the Prohibition era.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
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True, black leather jackets have become a symbol for hoodlum cycle jockeys, but remember: Good guys wear 'em, too, including policemen.—
Aurora Sousanis,
Detroit Free Press,
5 June 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Hooligan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooligan. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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