1
as in idiots
a stupid person
an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him "brainless goons"
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2
as in thugs
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the crime boss threatened to send the goons after him if he squealed
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Recent Examples of goons
But the Pretty Woman fairy tale swerves tones and genres midway through after his parents dispatch local goons to rein in the situation.
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Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024
But the truck had been filled with guns by goons, who captured the girl.
—Erica Thompson, TVLine, 20 Oct. 2024
There are no goons in SECURITY jackets, no cops, no city officials checking paperwork and conducting risk assessments.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 18 Oct. 2024
The scene between Daryl and Isabelle—locked up together by Losang’s goons—was nice.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
In a letter distributed by his lawyer, Zambada said his godson’s goons kidnapped him at a resort in suburban Culiacán, tied him up, bundled him into the bed of a pickup, drove him to an airstrip and forced him on the plane.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024
And then, just as suddenly, she’s kidnapped by some Russian goons and forced to race through the neighborhood’s underbelly in a desperate search for her missing beau, who is on an epic bender.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024
But the truck had been filled with guns by goons, who captured the girl.
—Erica Thompson, TVLine, 20 Oct. 2024
There are no goons in SECURITY jackets, no cops, no city officials checking paperwork and conducting risk assessments.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 18 Oct. 2024
The scene between Daryl and Isabelle—locked up together by Losang’s goons—was nice.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
In a letter distributed by his lawyer, Zambada said his godson’s goons kidnapped him at a resort in suburban Culiacán, tied him up, bundled him into the bed of a pickup, drove him to an airstrip and forced him on the plane.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024
And then, just as suddenly, she’s kidnapped by some Russian goons and forced to race through the neighborhood’s underbelly in a desperate search for her missing beau, who is on an epic bender.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goons
Noun
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Many criminals use generative AI to improve the grammar and believability of their phishing emails and scripts.Craig Costigan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Most recently, Dawson starred in and produced Midnight, a gripping thriller centered on a young woman (Alexandra Shipp) pursued by international criminals, led by Milla Jovovich.Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This historical event, which aimed to reform secret society gangsters, ended in a riot and resulted in Singapore’s largest trial to date.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
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Finally, talk about how a number of these gangsters like Frank represent were on the opposite side of the law in one area and community builders in another in real life.Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Tired of seeing Hugh Grant plays villains and creeps?Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
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On Foods That Sabotage Your Sleep Tollemache emphasizes that these seven foods aren’t villains.Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Several warring factions exist within the Zone, as well as lone bandits and stalkers.Issy van der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
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There were also potential issues at Pangong Lake, the location where the bandits are carried by the elephants and find the Mystic in a tree.Leila Jordan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Goons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goons. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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