yakuza

noun

ya·​ku·​za ˈyä-ku̇-ˌzä How to pronounce yakuza (audio)
plural yakuza
1
: a Japanese gangster
2
: an organized crime syndicate in Japan

Examples of yakuza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025 Beginning in 1964 Nagasaki and unfolding over the next 50 years, young Kikuo (Soya Kurokawa) is taken under the wing of renowned Kabuki maestro Hanjiro Hanai (Ken Watanabe) after his yakuza father was slain. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025 That means, Ulysses is up against the entire population — which is a lot less than 1,890 when the film is over — while the yakuza take a 10-hour private jet over to settle the score. Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025 Advertisement Dong-ju finally takes Ju-yeong down Before Ju-yeong can get onto a boat, he is intercepted by the yakuza. Kayti Burt, Time, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for yakuza

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, ruffian, gangster

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of yakuza was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“Yakuza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yakuza. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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