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.

“While Joaquin was undoubtedly motivated in part by his mistreatment at the hands of American ruffians, a significant reason was his thirst for gold.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“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

Chickadees may be portrayed as radiating tranquil beauty on holiday cards, but realistically, these loud, round ruffians are tough survivors of harsh winter environments in northern latitudes.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Chaplin was sharing a table with Russian aristocrats and violinist Jascha Heifetz and saw Julian and his buddies kick over a lamp and generally behave like ruffians.

From Los Angeles Times