goons
n. plural-onlyn. tough people who are hired to threaten or hurt others. They usually work for a criminal or a powerful person to help them get what they want.
n. hired thugs or subordinates employed to intimidate, threaten, or use violence against others. Often carries a derogatory tone and implies a lack of independent thought or morality.
The boss sent his goons to collect the money.
The corrupt politician used a group of goons to harass the journalists who were investigating his business deals.
In many classic noir films, the antagonist is rarely seen alone, usually flanked by a pair of silent goons whose presence serves as a constant physical threat to the protagonist.
Almost always used in the plural form to describe a group; the singular 'goon' is less common in modern general contexts.