ruffian

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.

“Good Boy,” by Jan Komasa, has an arresting star turn by Anson Boon as a ruffian who gets chained up in a rich family’s cellar until he agrees to behave.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

The trial heard him described as a "ruffian" and a "street waif" who never stood still.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

In America, he's a ruffian who hunts with a bow and arrow.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2023

Belisle’s imagined Shiffler is no ruffian, but a well-spoken, humble youth who wants only to care for his family and win the hand of Irene Freeman, a blue-eyed Catholic orphan.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2021

He had risked his world, and now it was walking away from him, hand in hand with a ruffian prince.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman