as in gang
a group involved in secret or criminal activities
the local Mafia largely finances itself through extortion rackets and drug trafficking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 Mafia
Presley’s friends in the Memphis Mafia were convinced that Elvis wanted to tour the world and blamed Parker’s fear of deportation.
—
Kim Willis, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Latin Mafia’s appearance at Lollapalooza felt, to many, like a tribute to Latin music.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Swedish House Mafia plays the second weekend of Tomorrowland 2025 today.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 25 July 2025
De Soto Music and shopping together The Rhythm & Roots Market will feature Superstar Mafia from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, in Downtown DeSoto.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Mafia
Kim Willis, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Latin Mafia’s appearance at Lollapalooza felt, to many, like a tribute to Latin music.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Swedish House Mafia plays the second weekend of Tomorrowland 2025 today.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 25 July 2025
De Soto Music and shopping together The Rhythm & Roots Market will feature Superstar Mafia from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, in Downtown DeSoto.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Mafia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Mafia
Noun
-
The teen was playing basketball at the park when he was approached by a group of young adults, who asked the teen if he was affiliated with a gang and tried to start a fight, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Homeland Security officials said the pair attempted to run over immigration officers with their car and say both are involved with gang Tren de Aragua.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Outside the capital, guerrilla groups and organized crime syndicates are exploiting the power vacuum along Venezuela’s borders and in its resource-rich interior.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The four-count indictment alleges that Maduro played a pivotal role in the Venezuelan drug-trafficking syndicate known as the Cartel de los Soles, aka Cartel of the Suns.—
Jay Weaver
January 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the show, Lower, 40, plays Helly Riggs/Helena Eagan, who tries to uncover the company's web of conspiracies with her coworkers.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In their charging documents, prosecutors allege Maduro, his wife and his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, engaged in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy and partnered with cartels designated as terrorist groups.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the season 4 finale, Moriarty's Ben resigns after a case involving the Russian mob results in the murder of a witness.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The administration also lists members of the pro-Trump mob who died during the riot or in connection with it, but does not mention that nearly 140 police officers were injured that same day by weapons.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan was snapper whispering sweet nothings to her beau as the pair watched a match during the BNP Paribas Open in March.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The Hough clan just got a little bigger.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sure, Johnson’s physics-defying mid-air adjustment shows up in college football highlight supercuts, but the networks that run the sport today rarely dig up the footage from the late, great Jefferson Pilot Sports to educate the next generation.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, French company Eutelsat is also building its own alternative low-orbit satellite network.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mafia. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share