cartel

noun

kär-ˈtel How to pronounce cartel (audio)
Definition of cartelnext
as in syndicate
a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage a cartel of oil-producing nations that controls production and influences prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cartel The Sinaloa cartel announced a ban on fentanyl production around the same period, and there were news reports of violence and ensuing casualties. — J. Travis Donahoe, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 Trump has repeatedly said Mexico isn’t doing enough against the cartels. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Danny Trejo has played a Mexican revolutionary, a Mexican cop, a Mexican cartel assassin and, of course, a Mexican ex-con who kills bad guys with a machete. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Industry middlemen acted like a cartel, making sure things never had the potential to change. — Adam Duxter, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cartel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartel
  1. syndicate
  2. conglomerate
Noun
  • Visages closed its doors in 2000 amid the shift to digital, industry consolidation and competition from major syndicates including Getty Images and Corbis.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While some more nefarious syndicates might hold your steering or brakes for ransom, a far more common target is your private information.
    — Mike McRae October 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of syndicate
Noun
  • Dangote’s conglomerate was built on cement and food products, but the ongoing expansion of its Lagos refinery and the recent groundbreaking for a second on Kenya’s coast have seen the group emerge as an influential player in Africa’s energy sector.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • From that foothold, Pérez built Grupo Emco Holding, a multinational conglomerate spanning mining, airports, energy and logistics.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of conglomerate

Browse Nearby Words

carted
cartel
cartels
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Cite this Entry

“Cartel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartel. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cartel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cartel

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