Mafia

noun

ˈmä-fē-ə How to pronounce Mafia (audio)
Definition of Mafianext
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
  1. gang
  2. syndicate
  3. conspiracy
  4. mob
  5. clan
  6. network
Noun
  • Released in 1996, Romeo + Juliet stood apart from previous adaptations by placing Shakespeare’s story in a modern setting filled with rival gangs, flashy cars and stylized action while keeping the original dialogue intact.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • The effect is something like a gang of glass-eyed vultures staring down at a piece of carrion.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of gang
Noun
  • Rather than working in large criminal syndicates as many Westerners assume, Yahoo Boys typically work alone, asking victims for money – most often in the form of gift cards.
    — Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
  • Until then, global syndicates will happily roll the dice on street-level arrests while the corporate entities handling the cash enable the pipeline.
    — Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Definition of syndicate
Noun
  • The department is also targeting Omar Cantu-Montalvo, a Mexican native who joined a conspiracy to distribute more than 10 pounds of cocaine months before applying for citizenship in 2005.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026
  • Iza has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery in California and Connecticut and awaits sentencing.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 20 July 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Noun
  • As much as Kelly might be milking this attention, being subjected to such a high-level threat can arouse serious menace from the acolyte mobs.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • Lander did not feel the need to appease the Zionist mob by softening his rhetoric.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of mob
Noun
  • Not to mention battling nerds, LARPers, and a particularly petulant McPoyle clan at the Renaissance Faire or sportswashing their way back into the good graces of their community by sponsoring a Little League team.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Like her big sister Mia, Lena has made a few royal and informal public appearances, from attending the Festival of British Eventing to joining the whole clan for Christmas at Sandringham.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • Ruemmler is the latest prominent figure called before the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers investigate the network of powerful people connected with Epstein.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • What started as a campaign to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities and weaken its global terror networks has morphed into a dispute over control of one of the world’s most important trade routes.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of network

Browse Nearby Words

mafficks
Mafia
Mafias
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mafia. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Mafia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Mafia

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