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

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Mafia
Noun
  • How Nashville police got involved Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the department's specialized investigation unit saw a rise in violent crime two years ago, including non-lethal shootings and homicides connected to the MS-13 gang.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Keeley plays Jayson, the leader of the gang, the show’s most obvious villain.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • These syndicates are part of the same criminal economy that funds military airstrikes and repression.
    Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Such crackdowns attract notice from Boswell, who detects a civilian ally in his fight against local syndicates.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Police arrested Wimunc on suspicion of his wife's murder, charging him with first-degree murder, second-degree arson and conspiracy to commit second-degree arson.
    Mason Leath, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
  • From the off, Deza identifies any number of gaps and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case against her client, and even evidence of a systemic conspiracy against her.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • This was no downtown scene, this was Broadway and all the show people and ballplayers and serious mob guys were right there, and Franky C knew them all, from Jackie Wilson to Clay Cole to Tiny Tim.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The film ends with Dek standing alongside Thia and Bud, his new clan, as a large, menacing Yautja ship appears on the horizon.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Some of the Kardashian-Jenner clan of course—including sisters Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner—as well as fellow A-list stars such as Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Sarah Paulson, Teyana Taylor and countless others.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Nov. 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mafia. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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