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

On the Italian side, the gangsters consider New York City to be a "gym" where their members go to be toughened up, criminology professor and modern organised crime expert Anna Sergi, previously told BBC.

Read more on BBC

When goons broke up an independent labor rally, he reports, a naval intelligence officer enthused to the gangster boss Meyer Lansky, “Gee, you did a swell job.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

My role is that of a detective, and throughout this game of fatal political espionage, I encounter multiple puppet characters — electricians, would-be-mayors, gangsters, dead puppets.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some dialogue might have been lifted whole from a 1930s gangster film.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It all begins in Depression-era Milwaukee as a righteously funny gangster novel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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