cartel

noun

car·​tel kär-ˈtel 

1

: a written agreement between belligerent nations

2

: a combination of independent commercial or industrial enterprises designed to limit competition or fix prices

illegal drug cartels

3

: a combination of political groups for common action

Synonyms of cartel

• syndicate
• conglomerate

Examples of cartel in a Sentence

a cartel of oil-producing nations that controls production and influences prices

Recent Examples on the Web

Colombian and Venezuelan cartels were reportedly dominating the space left by the power vacuum which emerged from the lack of effective law enforcement. — Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

The killing underscores the dangers facing Mexican local leaders who challenge cartels, as President Claudia Sheinbaum faces pressure to confront organized crime and corruption. — Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Nevertheless, Baron Cohen persuades real politicians, including Gingrich and Congressman Andy Harris, to condemn the fake cartel leader. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

The man on the line claimed a Mexican drug cartel had kidnapped her 37-year-old daughter. — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, letter of defiance, from Old Italian cartello, literally, placard, from carta leaf of paper — more at card entry 1

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cartel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

cartel

noun

car·​tel kär-ˈtel 

: a combination of business firms to control world markets and fix prices