1
: a stupid person
2
a
: a man hired to terrorize or eliminate opponents
went on; gone on; going on; goes on
1
2
: to take place : happen
what's going on
3
: to talk especially in an effusive manner
the way people go on about their ancestors—
Hamilton Basso
Hamilton BassoExamples of goon in a Sentence
Noun
He was beat up by a couple of goons.
an unfortunate tendency to call those who disagree with him “brainless goons”
Verb
what in the world is going on in there?
my, but Aunt Betty does go on about all of her aches and pains
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025
But Bennett is not just a goon who targets opposing teams’ stars.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Jon Arnold, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Leaf went on to become friends with Wilson, including serving as an usher at his 1995 wedding to Melinda Ledbetter.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for goon
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Noun
Harry and Kev then roll up to the pub and immediately take out a couple of Richie's goons by the bar.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025
But Bennett is not just a goon who targets opposing teams’ stars.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Verb
After the goal was credited to Alvarez, Montes’ name ended up going on Concacaf’s official scoresheet.
—Jon Arnold, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Leaf went on to become friends with Wilson, including serving as an usher at his 1995 wedding to Melinda Ledbetter.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for goon
Cite this Entry
“Goon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goon. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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