Thug vs. Tug — What's the Difference?

A cutthroat or ruffian; a hoodlum.

To pull at vigorously or repeatedly

Also Thug One of a group of professional criminals, devotees of Kali, who robbed and murdered travelers in northern India until the mid-1800s.

To move by pulling with great effort or exertion; drag

Someone with an intimidating and unseemly appearance and mannerisms, who treats others violently and roughly, often for hire.

To tow by tugboat.

(historical) One of a band of assassins formerly active in northern India who worshipped Kali and offered their victims to her.

To pull something vigorously or repeatedly

(horticulture) An over-vigorous plant that spreads and dominates the flowerbed.

An instance of tugging; a strong or sudden pull

A punk; a hoodlum; a hooligan.

A pulling force

A wooden bat used in the game of miniten, fitting around the player's hand.

A contest; a struggle

(AAVE) One who, usually as a result of social disadvantage, has turned to committing crimes (e.g. selling drugs, robbery, assault, etc.) to make a living; a gangsta.

A tugboat.

To commit acts of thuggery, to live the life of a thug, or to dress and act in a manner reminiscent of someone who does.

A land, air, or space vehicle that moves or tows other vehicles

One of an association of robbers and murderers in India who practiced murder by stealthy approaches, and from religious motives. They have been nearly exterminated by the British government.

A rope, chain, or strap used in hauling, especially a harness trace.

An assassin; a ruffian; a rough.

(transitive) To pull or drag with great effort.

An aggressive and violent young criminal

(transitive) To pull hard repeatedly.

(transitive) To tow by tugboat.

To masturbate.

A sudden powerful pull.

(nautical) A tugboat.

(obsolete) A kind of vehicle used for conveying timber and heavy articles.

A trace, or drawing strap, of a harness.

A dog toy consisting of a rope, often with a knot in it.

(mining) An iron hook of a hoisting tub, to which a tackle is affixed.

(slang) An act of male masturbation.

To pull or draw with great effort; to draw along with continued exertion; to haul along; to tow; as, to tug a loaded cart; to tug a ship into port.

To pull; to pluck.

To pull with great effort; to strain in labor; as, to tug at the oar; to tug against the stream.

To labor; to strive; to struggle.

A pull with the utmost effort, as in the athletic contest called tug of war; a supreme effort.

A sort of vehicle, used for conveying timber and heavy articles.

A small, powerful steamboat used to tow vessels; - called also steam tug, tugboat, and towboat.

A trace, or drawing strap, of a harness.

An iron hook of a hoisting tub, to which a tackle is affixed.

A sudden abrupt pull

A powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships

Pull hard;

Strive and make an effort to reach a goal;

Tow (a vessel) with a tug;

Carry with difficulty;

Move by pulling hard;

Pull or strain hard at;

Struggle in opposition;