as in gang
a group involved in secret or criminal activities
the local Mafia largely finances itself through extortion rackets and drug trafficking
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Recent Examples of Mafia
Among the films released under his watch were Trumbo (2015), Beasts of No Nation (2015), Danny Collins (2015), Elvis & Nixon (2016), Eye in the Sky (2016), Logan Lucky (2017), Hotel Mumbai (2018) and, more recently, the 2023 releases Golda, One Life, What Happens Later and Mafia Mamma.
—
Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
The first episode of Season 2 delves into the Pagan Biker Gang, and the rest of the season will unpack organizations like Fresno Bulldogs, Nuestra Familia, Black Mafia Family, Vagos and Aryan Sisters of Texas.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
President Donald Trump and his allies in power are trying to erect an authoritarian Mafia state like the one Vladimir Putin and his cronies established in Russia.
—Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
In Season 4 of Godfather of Harlem, Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the arrival of gangster Frank Lucas (Rome Flynn).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Mafia
Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
The first episode of Season 2 delves into the Pagan Biker Gang, and the rest of the season will unpack organizations like Fresno Bulldogs, Nuestra Familia, Black Mafia Family, Vagos and Aryan Sisters of Texas.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
President Donald Trump and his allies in power are trying to erect an authoritarian Mafia state like the one Vladimir Putin and his cronies established in Russia.
—Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
In Season 4 of Godfather of Harlem, Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the arrival of gangster Frank Lucas (Rome Flynn).
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Mafia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Mafia
Noun
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Every Dawson's Creek fan remembers when most of the gang spent spring break at Aunt Gwen's (Julie Bowen) mountainside home, a.k.a.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
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An undercover recording obtained of an MS-13 meeting that took place six weeks after the murder captured one MS-13 member acknowledging his participation in the murder, and other gang members disciplining him for leaving Massachusetts after the murder without the gang’s permission.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Other legal concerns include the regulation of sales across state lines when each state controls its own lottery games, sales to underage players, ticket buying syndicates and other issues.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
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The high-interest rate environment has encouraged many investors to flock to high-yield savings accounts and newer investment alternatives, such as real estate syndicate funds.—
Elaine Pofeldt,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Henley was indicted in March on federal charges of fraud, robbery, extortion and running a racketeering conspiracy.—
Colleen Shalby,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
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Related Stories Cannes 2025 Palme d’Or Contenders Ranked: Who Will Win the Top Prize? ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo’ Wins Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes 2025 Honey is drawn into a conspiracy of sorts when a woman who reached out to her for help ends up dead at the bottom of a cliff.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Noun
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In a further sign that Hamas, which has been controlling the flow of food and supplies, is losing its grip, a mob broke into a warehouse in central Gaza to take flour.—
The Editors,
National Review,
29 May 2025
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El-Amin’s uncle, Dennis Hubert, was an 18-year-old Black divinity student in 1930 when a mob of seven White men lynched him on the playground of an Atlanta school.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Noun
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As boss Richie Stevenson looks to pin blame, patriarch Conrad Harrigan gathers his clan with a plan.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
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It’s been three years, but our favorite sleuthing goth teenager Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is finally back, as is the rest of her clan.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Zaher Jabarin, based in mainly in Turkey, plays a crucial role in overseeing Hamas's financial network, and Muhammad Ismail Darwish, chairman of the Hamas Shura Council and also in Qatar, is another influential member, particularly responsible for managing foreign relations.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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Here’s Boise State’s schedule, with networks and kickoff times where applicable, for 2025.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mafia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mafia. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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