gangster

[gang-ster]

noun

1. a member of a gang of criminals, especially a racketeer in an organized crime syndicate.

   Synonyms: goon, hood, thug, crook, hoodlum, mobster

gangster

/ ˈɡæŋstə /

noun

1. a member of an organized gang of criminals, esp one who resorts to violence

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangster¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; gang ¹ + -ster

Example Sentences

The jailing of hundreds of Scottish gangsters has left prison staff playing a daily game of chess as they try to keep violent rivals apart.

From BBC

Several items connected to notorious London gangsters the Kray twins are to come up for auction.

From BBC

"She was a public figure, a community leader, quite a big heroin dealer, and she was a gangster," he says.

From BBC

Less discussed has been Milioti’s metamorphosis into the internally and externally scarred Sofia, hard as Gotham’s most brutal gangsters and free of the ties of conscience that could bind vengeful hands.

From Los Angeles Times

This, I realized while standing there, was public policy in action, MAGA’s culture of cruelty and gangster capitalism run amok on the street level.

From Salon

Related Words

• bandit 
• criminal 
• crook 
• hoodlum 
• hooligan 
• mobster 
• racketeer 
• robber 
• soldier 
• thug