Unscramble THUG
THUG is itself a valid word in both Scrabble and Words With Friends, worth 8 points and 9 respectively on plain squares. Rearranged and shortened, the same 4 letters make 8 words in total, from 4 letters down to two. No other word uses all 4 letters, which makes it a safe rack to hold. The highest scoring option is THUG at 8 points in Scrabble. 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.
More ways to use these letters
Scores shown are the bare tile values. Premium squares, and the fifty point bonus for using all seven tiles, are not included because they depend on where the word lands. More on that here.