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ruffianism

[ ruhf-ee-uh-niz-uhm, ruhf-yuh- ]

/ ˈrʌf i əˌnɪz əm, ˈrʌf yə- /

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See synonyms for ruffianism on Thesaurus.com

noun

conduct befitting a ruffian.

ruffian character.

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Origin of ruffianism

First recorded in 1585–95; ruffian + -ism

Words nearby ruffianism

ruff, ruffe, ruffed, ruffed grouse, ruffian, ruffianism, Ruffini's corpuscle, ruffle, ruffled, ruffler, ruffle someone's feathers

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ruffianism in a sentence

His son and successor, Taha, has inherited all his ruffianism without the stronger qualities.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
With his natural ruffianism complicated by drunkenness, he went rapidly down the hill into the valley of humiliation.
Cashel Byron's Profession|George Bernard Shaw
In these days the introduction of gas light and the posting of constables on the highway have greatly checked such ruffianism.
The Hindoos as they Are|Shib Chunder Bose
Italian vice stopped short of real life; poisoning and hired ruffianism flourished only on the stage.
English Literature: Modern|G. H. Mair

The actual perpetrators of this unique act of ruffianism were nine in number.
The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion, Volume 1|John Charles Dent