1. a violent criminal or gangster
Usage: informal
2. a member of a religious organization of robbers and murderers in India that was suppressed by the British in the 19th century
Usage: historical

Examples

• The police arrested three thugs who had been terrorizing the neighborhood.
• He was known as a dangerous thug with connections to organized crime.
• The store owner was threatened by local thugs demanding protection money.
• Security cameras helped identify the thugs who vandalized the building.
• The historical thugs of India used deception to rob travelers.
• British colonial forces worked to eliminate the thug organizations.