1
as in teams
a group of people working together on a task
a gang of neighborhood residents spent the weekend cleaning up the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in cliques
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
the whole gang went out for pizza the school's computer hackers had their own little gang
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in Mafias
a group involved in secret or criminal activities
politicians promising to stop the growth of inner-city gangs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gangs
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
On the other side, De la Espriella has promised to fiercely crack down on criminal groups and build 10 megaprisons, following in a similar vein as El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, in his war on gangs, which has been beset by abuses, according to findings by human rights groups.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Abelardo de la Espriella, the candidate of the Defensores de la Patria party, has pitched himself as an outsider eager to emulate the heavy-handed tactics used in El Salvador’s war on gangs.
—Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC news, 1 June 2026
The stadium is now used by people seeking shelter from gangs, who now control key routes to and from the capital, choking off vital supplies in the Caribbean nation grappling with a deepening hunger crisis.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Corbett says that deputy gangs do not exist in the department, that in the past cliques and subgroups have existed, and that focus on the issue has eroded public trust and deputies’ morale.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 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
Noun
Haiti remains in the grip of violent gangs despite recent gains in parts of Port-au-Prince.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
On the other side, De la Espriella has promised to fiercely crack down on criminal groups and build 10 megaprisons, following in a similar vein as El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, in his war on gangs, which has been beset by abuses, according to findings by human rights groups.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Abelardo de la Espriella, the candidate of the Defensores de la Patria party, has pitched himself as an outsider eager to emulate the heavy-handed tactics used in El Salvador’s war on gangs.
—Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC news, 1 June 2026
The stadium is now used by people seeking shelter from gangs, who now control key routes to and from the capital, choking off vital supplies in the Caribbean nation grappling with a deepening hunger crisis.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Corbett says that deputy gangs do not exist in the department, that in the past cliques and subgroups have existed, and that focus on the issue has eroded public trust and deputies’ morale.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 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 gangs
Noun
-
The Oklahoma City Thunder took on the San Antonio Spurs Saturday night to decide the Western Conference title, after a back-and-forth series that has seen both teams leading at various points.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Both teams qualified for the CIF Southern California Regional playoffs that begin Tuesday.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Tuchel does not want dressing-room cliques and has put a premium on having a unified group pulling in the same direction.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
-
Corbett also thinks that deputy cliques existed at one point.—
Teagan Davidge,
Daily News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Four different national armies are fighting on the ground.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 May 2026
-
Your great contribution to the scholarship of the Second World War is to emphasize that total war, of the Second World War kind, is a war not against armies, but against capabilities.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Many would be in communities that had been fundamentally altered — now missing parents, friends, even entire families.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Managed and feral honey bees also played critical roles in pollinating crops brought over by European settlers, including apple and cherry trees and clover, which provided food for livestock and their communities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Instead, horses are often owned by sponsors, investors or syndicates.—
Danielle Rossingh,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Criminal syndicates The consequences extend far beyond South America.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Their top-30 visits, where NFL clubs host prospects at their facilities to gather further intel, are often smokescreens.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
These are in addition to private members clubs The Wilde and Cipriani, among other highlights.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many of us had been guessing that the centerpiece shoot-out confrontation of the third season would be between Laurie and Alamo’s crews.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
-
Hopkins told The Star that crews had to cut open the roof in a few places to extinguish the fire.—
Jenna Thompson
June 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
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The beaches are then evaluated on criteria like uniqueness, remoteness, wildlife, calm waters, crowds, and the overall likelihood of idyllic conditions.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gangs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangs. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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