Outlaw vs Thug - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between outlaw and thug

is that outlaw is a fugitive from the law while thug is a criminal with an intimidating and unseemly appearance and mannerisms, who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire.

As a verb outlaw

is to declare illegal.

outlaw

English

Noun

(en noun)

A fugitive from the law.

A person who is excluded from normal legal rights.

A person who operates outside established norms.

The main character of the play was a bit of an outlaw who refused to shake hands or say thank you.

A wild horse.

(humorous) An in-law: a relative by marriage.

Synonyms

* (person that operates outside established norms) anti-hero

Verb

(outlaw)

To declare illegal

To place a ban upon

To remove from legal jurisdiction or enforcement.

to outlaw a debt or claim

To deprive of legal force.

Laws outlawed by necessity. — Fuller.

External links

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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