1. A particularly difficult or baffling question or problem
   "The final question on the quiz was a real toughie";
   - poser, stumper [informal], sticker
    
2. An aggressive and violent young criminal
   "The toughie was arrested for vandalizing cars in the neighbourhood";
   - hood [slang], hoodlum, goon [informal], punk [N. Amer, informal], thug, tough [informal], strong-armer

Derived forms: toughies

Type of: crim [Brit, informal], criminal, crook [informal], felon, malefactor [formal], outlaw, problem

Encyclopedia: Toughie