1. a violent person who engages in criminal behavior

Examples

• The ruffian threatened the shopkeeper and demanded money.
• Police arrested three ruffians who had been vandalizing cars.
• The old man was attacked by a gang of ruffians in the alley.
• She described her attacker as a rough-looking ruffian.
• The ruffians broke into the house and stole valuable items.
• Local residents complained about ruffians causing trouble in the neighborhood.