Etymology
Origin of ruffianism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As attacks on the rule of law become more frequent and intense, the public has rekindled its often dormant affection for public-interest lawyers — endearingly unglamorous defenders of principle over politics, of rules over ruffianism.
From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2020
Its ruffianism has no social function; it satisfies itself.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 5, 2012
A scrubby beard covered his face to the cheekbones, giving him an air of ruffianism that went oddly with his large weak frame and nervous movements.
From "1984" by George Orwell
The others—Staupitz, Saldagno, Pinto, and the rest—had been ruffianly creatures enough, but there was a kind of honesty, a measure of courage in their ruffianism.
From The Duke's Motto A Melodrama by McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)
She looked on him and his companion with amazement mingled with something of fear, for the aspects of both were expressive of low ruffianism.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 4, September, 1850 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
