variants
also toughy
as in tough
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
after numerous suspensions, the school toughies were finally expelled for gang activities on campus
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughie
Extra time may be spent looking for that toughie that was present just a few days ago.
—
Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, 15 Dec. 2017
The surprises come from Rachel McAdams, who holds her own as a wise-cracking toughie, and Peña, who defrosts from macho pride mode with low-key grace.
—Hugh Hart, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2008
Another cold-weather toughie is Alaska's red flat bark beetle, which, under lab conditions, can survive cooling down to minus 238 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 10 Dec. 2016
Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, 15 Dec. 2017
The surprises come from Rachel McAdams, who holds her own as a wise-cracking toughie, and Peña, who defrosts from macho pride mode with low-key grace.
—Hugh Hart, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2008
Another cold-weather toughie is Alaska's red flat bark beetle, which, under lab conditions, can survive cooling down to minus 238 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 10 Dec. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughie
Noun
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Williams is already Beale Street jerky tough and looks like a plug-and-play 3-and-D wing.—
Kelly Iko,
The Athletic,
11 Apr. 2024
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When a set of tortuous toughs relocate to the neighborhood, his temperament shifts and the scenes increasingly unravel the inner workings of his shaken psyche.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
23 Sep. 2024
Noun
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It’s widely expected that the administration will first seek to deport criminals who are in this country illegally.—
David Lightman,
Sacramento Bee,
19 Jan. 2025
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Dave Chappelle not only touched on the L.A. County wildfires during his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live but also spoofed the evacuations by pretending to be a criminal with a whole lot to hide.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In the end, dictators tap into something essential in human nature—the deference before a bully.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
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Breathing fire Angry, vengeful, paranoid, a remorseless bully: These are trademark Carollo traits, according to city employees, two of his daughters, citizens who have argued with him and former allies double-crossed by him.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Although the new government seems willing to listen to Alawite concerns, there’s a lingering resentment, with many pointing to the community’s complicity in torture and war crimes — whether in the security services or gangs of thugs known as the shabiha — over the 14 years of the conflict.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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There was a time, not long ago, when men who lifted weights for fun were seen as either thugs or narcissists.—
Danielle Friedman,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near toughie
Cite this Entry
“Toughie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughie. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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