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.

Abelardo de la Espriella, a rich lawyer who promised an iron-fisted crackdown on drug thugs, finished ahead of ruling movement’s leftist hopeful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

"They began organising traffic and clearing the markets, removing the street vendors who were blocking the roads. We felt protected from thugs and thieves."

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

The safety-conscious Monahan would not open her door to just anybody, especially not to hard-looking thugs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2025

Sometimes the best way to show leadership is to just say no, especially to bullies, thieves and thugs.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2025

He does not seem to have known what he was in for, possibly because he viewed the Inka as a gang of rustic thugs.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann