Definitions
- Describing a person who is rough, tough, or aggressive in behavior or appearance. - Referring to someone who is involved in petty crimes or misdemeanors. - Talking about a person who is a troublemaker or a bully.
- Describing a person who is violent, brutal, or cruel in behavior or actions. - Referring to someone who is involved in organized crime or serious offenses. - Talking about a person who intimidates or uses force to get what they want.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe people who engage in negative or criminal behavior.
- 2Both words have negative connotations.
- 3Both words can be used to describe physical appearance or behavior.
- 4Both words are informal and colloquial.
What is the difference?
- 1Severity: Thug implies a more serious level of criminal activity than ruffian, which is often associated with minor offenses.
- 2Violence: Thug emphasizes violence and brutality, while ruffian may not necessarily involve physical aggression.
- 3Organization: Thug is often associated with organized crime, while ruffian is more commonly used to describe individuals or small groups.
- 4Intimidation: Thug is more likely to be used to describe someone who intimidates or instills fear, while ruffian may not necessarily have that effect.
Remember this!
Ruffian and thug are both words used to describe people who engage in negative or criminal behavior. However, thug is associated with more serious criminal activity, violence, and intimidation, while ruffian is often used to describe minor offenses or individuals who are rough or aggressive in behavior or appearance.
