As nouns the difference between thug and mobster
is that thug is a criminal with an intimidating and unseemly appearance and mannerisms, who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire while mobster is a member of a mob or Mafia.
thug
English
(
wikipedia thug)
From (
etyl) .
Thuggee was an Indian network of secret fraternities who were engaged in murdering and robbing travellers and known for strangling their victims, operating from the 17th century (possibly as early as 13th century) to the 19th century. During of India, many Indian words passed into common English, and in 1810
thug referred to members of these Indian gangs. The sense was adopted more generally as "ruffian, cutthroat" by 1839.
Noun
(
en noun)
A criminal with an intimidating and unseemly appearance and mannerisms, who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire.
(dated) One of a band of assassins formerly active in northern India who worshipped and offered their victims to her.
Synonyms
* See also
mobster
Noun
(
en noun)
a member of a mob or Mafia
Synonyms
* gangster
* Mafioso, mafioso
* wiseguy, wise guy
