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ruffianism

[ruhf-ee-uh-niz-uh m, ruhf-yuh-]
See more synonyms for ruffianism on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. conduct befitting a ruffian.
  2. ruffian character.
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Origin of ruffianism

First recorded in 1585–95; ruffian + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ruffianism

Historical Examples

  • The Preparatory Schools of Ruffianism are similarly borne with.

    The Uncommercial Traveller

    Charles Dickens

  • He listens to the representatives of ruffianism, counting them first.

    Ireland as It Is

    Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

  • It was unnecessary to admit for a moment the existence of impudence or ruffianism.

    The Rescue

    Joseph Conrad

  • All ruffianism affronts me, and actions legitimate in others are crimes in me.

    Zanoni

    Edward Bulwer Lytton

  • He was a fine compound of ruffianism, shrewdness, and a sort of caustic humour.