Mobster: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'mobster' when referring to a member of a criminal organization, typically involved in organized crime. It has a somewhat casual, even classic connotation, fitting for stories or shows about crime.

• The old mobster ran the city for over three decades.
• The movie depicted the life of a notorious mobster.

Use 'gangster' when talking about a criminal who is part of a gang. This term spans a broader range of criminal activities and is often used in modern contexts or when referencing historical figures from the early 20th century.

• Al Capone was one of the most famous gangsters in American history.
• The neighborhood was controlled by a group of gangsters.

Reserve 'mafioso' for describing a member of the Mafia, a specific type of organized crime syndicate originating in Italy. This term has a more precise ethnic and organizational connotation.

• The law enforcement agents finally captured a high-ranking mafioso.
• The movie scene accurately portrayed the life of a Sicilian mafioso.

Use 'thug' to describe someone who engages in violent criminal behavior, often as part of a gang. Unlike the others, it has a negative and less organized connotation, implying brute force and intimidation tactics.

• A group of thugs robbed the convenience store last night.
• He was known as a violent thug in his youth.

This term is best used when referring to a member of an organized crime group, often involved in activities like illegal gambling, drug trafficking, or racketeering. It is often used in a rather dramatic or cinematic context, and can evoke an image of a sophisticated and dangerous individual.

• The police have been trying to take down the city's most notorious mobster for years
• The movie depicted the rise and fall of a powerful mobster in the 1920s

This term is general and can be used to describe anyone who commits a crime, regardless of the severity or nature of the crime. It is neutral and factual, often used in legal or news contexts.

• The criminal was arrested for burglary
• She spent years working with criminals in a rehabilitation program

This term is usually used to describe a young, often aggressive delinquent involved in minor crimes and vandalism. It carries a slightly negative and old-fashioned connotation, often bringing to mind images of juvenile gangs or street thugs.

• A group of hoodlums was causing trouble in the neighborhood
• In his youth, he was known as a hoodlum before turning his life around

This term tends to have a mildly negative and sometimes informal connotation. It is often used to describe someone who engages in dishonest or illegal activities, especially theft or deceit. It can be used casually or colloquially.

• The politician was exposed as a crook after the scandal
• He realized he'd been swindled by a crook pretending to sell rare antiques