toughs

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“
Just across from the farther end of the bar and near the last card table a half-dozen hard-looking, small-town "toughs"--creatures who loafed about Sabota's and aided him, as occasion required, in his boot-legging operations or other questionable enterprises--were lounging, some standing, some sitting, watching a slow poker game going on at the last table.

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Definitions (36)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (12)

  1. adjective Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient: a tough all-weather fabric.
  2. adjective Hard to cut or chew: tough meat.
  3. adjective Physically hardy; rugged: tough mountaineers; a tough cop.
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Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (10)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

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Examples (50)

  • When I need to assemble a gang of street toughs, and I need to do it fast, I turn to professionals.
  • Young toughs, leather boys with long hair, you know the type, they are usually drug dealers and pimps, in a small way. —  The Japanese Corpse - Janwillem van de Wetering - Grijpstra-De Gier 05
  • Gangs of roughs, toughs, and gunmen pursued their piratical business without thinking of the law, for they shared their spoils with the supposed officers of the law. —  Theodore Roosevelt; An Intimate Biography
  • There were out and out toughs, careless of all appearance, and with their evil hall-marked on harsh faces and in their watchful eyes. —  The Heart of Unaga
  • "He had his 'toughs' that time. —  The Heart of Unaga
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