English edit

Etymology edit

From thug +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation edit

  • (file)

Noun edit

thugness (uncountable)

  1. (informal, slang) The state, quality, or condition of a thug
    • 2000 Dec, Vibe, 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 edit