English

Noun

thugness ‎(uncountable)

1. (informal, nonstandard, slang) The state, quality, or condition of a thug
   • 2000, Vibe - Dec 2000 - Page 80:

     McWhorter contends that after Shakur's violent death, the black community rallied around the rapper as a victim of an unfair system, thus glorifying his thugness and run-ins with the law as a cool strike against the establishment.

   • 2011, Travis Hunter, On the Come Up - Page 10:

     “So you know my hood, huh?” “Not really. I just know where it is.” “I don't believe that. Something tells me you know these streets, Mr. P,” I said, smiling. “You got a lil thugness 'bout cha.” Mr. P shook his head. “I used to be a 10 Travis Hunter.

   • 2012, Robert Anasi, The Last Bohemia:

     I was a Deep House dancer, he says. And I loved the club scene: Octagon, Tunnel, Red Zone, Mars, Sound Factory, Wild Pitch. It was my escape from the neighborhood and all the thugness.

Synonyms

• thugdom
• thuggery