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
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Example Sentences
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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
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The second is the surveillance of James (Mago) Gately, a Hutch gang member whom the Kinahans planned to murder in 2017.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors said that the victim, who isn't associated with any gangs, suffered cognitive and vision issues for several months after the assault.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For one, the Madlanga Commission — set up to investigate whether criminal syndicates and political actors have burrowed into the police, intelligence, and prosecutorial services — is due to submit its interim report at the end of May.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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In the mid-1940s, Hans Reinhart, a photographer working with International News Photos (the Hearst syndicate’s old picture service), shot a feature devoted to the subway’s lost and found.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bambaataa denied the allegations in a statement that invoked a sense of conspiracy, and suggested that the accusers were agents intent on tarnishing his reputation.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Each are ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution for their role in the conspiracy, federal officials said.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some tips pointed to the Irish Republican Army and to Boston mob figures, including notorious crime boss Whitey Bulger.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Fuentes and his hateful mob — along with the rest of the world — are still waiting for the segment to air on CNN.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In hindsight, this was NOT exactly a great idea for the clan.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Take a walk to Chew Jetty, a historic waterfront settlement of stilt houses built by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century; visit Little India, with its heady, culture-melding atmosphere; or make a day doing the rounds of clan temples (Khoo Kongsi included) and Peranakan mansions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Tong referenced an expose on CNN that revealed a network of websites and group chats on platforms like Telegram in which men uploaded videos of drugging and raping their wives and advised others how to do the same.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
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During the event, Vietnam’s deputy minister of industry and trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, highlighted how FedEx’s global footprint would complement Viettel Post’s domestic network to ultimately enhance Vietnam’s ability to scale exports worldwide.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mafia. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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