as in syndicates
a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage
a cartel of oil-producing nations that controls production and influences prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cartels
The Eastern Pacific and Caribbean remain major corridors for narcotics trafficking, with cartels frequently using small, fast-moving vessels to transport drugs toward the United States and Central America.
—
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
The wisdom of encouraging private Americans to get into armed battles with cartels is certainly debatable, and the Senate has not advanced the bill.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
The reforms also open up the possibility of categorizing gangs and drug cartels as terrorist groups.
—CBS News, 3 June 2026
The center, a part of the Directorate of National Intelligence, now focuses more on the cartels that have been designated as terrorist groups and the politicians allegedly colluding with them than on possible threats from the Middle East, sources said.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
By aggressively targeting cartels and enforcing strict criminal penalties for drug dealers who poison Florida’s citizens, the administration has successfully squeezed the supply of illicit narcotics off Florida’s streets.
—John Koufos, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Though it’s not dominated by major cartels like the other two host cities, criminal groups are still active there and have their hand in a range of illicit activities, according to Víctor Manuel Sánchez Valdés, researcher at the Autonomous University of Coahuila.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
Jalisco is the home state of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s largest and most powerful cartels, whose leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (known as ‘El Mencho’) was killed by the country’s army in February.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Ecuador has struggled to contain drug violence since 2021 as rival cartels partner with local gangs and battle for control of routes and coastal ports used to smuggle cocaine.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
The wisdom of encouraging private Americans to get into armed battles with cartels is certainly debatable, and the Senate has not advanced the bill.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
The reforms also open up the possibility of categorizing gangs and drug cartels as terrorist groups.
—CBS News, 3 June 2026
The center, a part of the Directorate of National Intelligence, now focuses more on the cartels that have been designated as terrorist groups and the politicians allegedly colluding with them than on possible threats from the Middle East, sources said.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
By aggressively targeting cartels and enforcing strict criminal penalties for drug dealers who poison Florida’s citizens, the administration has successfully squeezed the supply of illicit narcotics off Florida’s streets.
—John Koufos, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Though it’s not dominated by major cartels like the other two host cities, criminal groups are still active there and have their hand in a range of illicit activities, according to Víctor Manuel Sánchez Valdés, researcher at the Autonomous University of Coahuila.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
Jalisco is the home state of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s largest and most powerful cartels, whose leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (known as ‘El Mencho’) was killed by the country’s army in February.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Ecuador has struggled to contain drug violence since 2021 as rival cartels partner with local gangs and battle for control of routes and coastal ports used to smuggle cocaine.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartels
Noun
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Applying terrorism designations to criminal syndicates, Brazilian officials say, conflicts with domestic legal definitions and risks blurring distinctions underpinning international counterterrorism law.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
-
Instead, horses are often owned by sponsors, investors or syndicates.—
Danielle Rossingh,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Others are subsidiaries of conglomerates, known as bonyads, that answer to the clergy.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
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Some experts have noted that demergers are becoming a trend among Indian conglomerates as these giants grapple with strategies on how to move quickly, lower costs, and stay competitive in specialized industries.—
Charlotte Hu,
Time,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cartels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartels. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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