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
  • The Four Corners of Death, at Euclid and Imperial avenues in San Diego, was the scene of gang warfare in the 1980s.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble amongst the remaining members of the gang.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Buford spent years immersing himself in the world of British hooligan soccer syndicates.
    Ed Lavandera, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • In the 2000s and 2010s, small funds and angel syndicates thrived.
    Roman Axelrod, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Finally, both Garcia and Niroula were also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in September 2012 on charges of murder and conspiracy.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The Netflix film stars Keira Knightley as a reporter plunged into a deadly conspiracy while on assignment on a luxury yacht.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The bench mob would be led by five-time All-Star John Wall, plus shooting specialist/famous dad Dell Curry and Miami Heat lifer Udonis Haslem.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • This means that the harms of AI may accrue more for poorer countries in terms of social media damaging elections, fueling mob violence, or leading to bad public health outcomes.
    John Wihbey, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The report said the Hamas Interior Ministry had accused a militia of attacking its forces, while members of the Doghmush clan said Hamas had exploited the ceasefire to target them over alleged cooperation with Israel.
    Emma Bussey , Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Hamas’ internal security forces have been engaged in clashes with several clans over the past few days, as the group tries to reassert itself across Gaza.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During that time, CBS’ viewership has aged and declined, and its digital operation has lagged behind nimbler competitors, even as other television networks have found some limited success in the worlds of podcasting and digital video.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers developed a quantum network using arrays of ¹⁷¹Yb atoms, recognized for their potential in long-distance quantum communication.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mafia. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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