as in thugs
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
Al Capone remains one of the most notorious gangsters in American history
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gangsters
Neither immigrant family should be linked to violent gangsters, of course.
—
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
One of the most innovative gangsters of the 20th century, Frank Lucas earned the title of Harlem drug kingpin in the late-‘60s and early-‘70s by importing high-quality heroin from Southeast Asia and selling it under the street name Blue Magic.
—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Sensing this once-great dynasty is in decline, the outback’s most powerful factions — rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders, and billionaire miners — move in for the kill, with billions of dollars at stake.
—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Among a slew of criminals and gangsters populating Paramount Plus’ streaming catalog, Mobland has stood out as a hit.
—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
In Gray’s taut thriller, set in 1980s Brighton Beach; the Gowanus area of Brooklyn; and Great Neck, Long Island, two brothers (Driver and Teller) fall afoul of Russian gangsters in a rapidly transforming city where high-stakes opportunities for riches also come with a high risk of life and limb.
—
Jada Yuan,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
The only ones making money on alcohol now were gangsters.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 May 2026
The gangsters who are running the country almost pride themselves on a lack of subtlety and finesse.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Violent gangsters ran fentanyl and human smuggling over the Rio Grande.
—
Ioan Grillo,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
One of the most innovative gangsters of the 20th century, Frank Lucas earned the title of Harlem drug kingpin in the late-‘60s and early-‘70s by importing high-quality heroin from Southeast Asia and selling it under the street name Blue Magic.
—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Sensing this once-great dynasty is in decline, the outback’s most powerful factions — rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders, and billionaire miners — move in for the kill, with billions of dollars at stake.
—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Among a slew of criminals and gangsters populating Paramount Plus’ streaming catalog, Mobland has stood out as a hit.
—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
In Gray’s taut thriller, set in 1980s Brighton Beach; the Gowanus area of Brooklyn; and Great Neck, Long Island, two brothers (Driver and Teller) fall afoul of Russian gangsters in a rapidly transforming city where high-stakes opportunities for riches also come with a high risk of life and limb.
—
Jada Yuan,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
The only ones making money on alcohol now were gangsters.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 May 2026
The gangsters who are running the country almost pride themselves on a lack of subtlety and finesse.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Violent gangsters ran fentanyl and human smuggling over the Rio Grande.
—
Ioan Grillo,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gangsters
Noun
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The actions of these thugs, who should be imprisoned for a long while, is the cause of denying real Knicks fans the chance to watch the game communally.
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People have committed suicide because a bunch of thugs went after them.
Noun
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What begins as a chance to escape the routine of his everyday life quickly spirals into a dangerous gathering of powerful criminals, old enemies, and unresolved loyalties.
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That creates the perfect opening for criminals.
Noun
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Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
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Animation fans were in for a very tasty treat, as the episode introduced villains and set the tone for the brutal show adapted from the best-selling Vertigo series by the late Anthony Bourdain, co-created with Joel Rose.
Noun
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In the movie, Furiosa is taken from her idyllic home by bandits and grows up shuttled between psychopath Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) and warlord Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme).
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There are dogs, bandits, romances, political revolutions, philosophical debates.
Noun
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These artisans, with their trade secrets, were kept on Murano, a cluster of islands just across the lagoon from the city, ostensibly as a precaution against fire, though the state would also send assassins after anyone who tried to leave.
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Unfortunately, Daemon’s hired assassins killed Aegon’s young son Jaehaerys instead so any real possibility for a family reconciliation was lost.
Noun
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We’re told that Krem, a human trafficker who leads a group of space pirates known as the Brigands, possesses the strength of 10,000 men.
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The 180-degree view shows everything from packages to porch pirates in sharp HD, and motion alerts pop up instantly on your phone.
Noun
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In Breaking Bear, a family of furry forest dwellers use everything in their power — including high explosives and drug money — to fight the frackers, mobsters, and a monstrous wolf pack threatening to destroy their home.
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But in April 2005, following an investigation dubbed Operation Family Secrets, 14 Chicago mobsters were charged with 18 then-as-yet-unsolved murders — including those of the Spilotros.
Cite this Entry
“Gangsters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangsters. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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