mafia Definition
- 1a secret criminal organization that engages in illegal activities such as gambling, drug trafficking, and murder
- 2a group of people who have a similar way of thinking or behaving, especially one that is not open to others
Using mafia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mafia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The mafia controlled the city's drug trade.
Example
He was killed by the mafia for refusing to pay protection money.
Example
The company was run like a mafia, with strict hierarchies and secrecy.
Example
The political mafia in the country has been accused of corruption and abuse of power.
mafia Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using mafia
Example
He joined the mafia when he was young and spent most of his life as a criminal.
Example
He decided to break away from the mafia and start a new life.
mafia-style
in a manner characteristic of organized crime, often involving violence or intimidation
Example
The company used mafia-style tactics to eliminate competition and control the market.
Phrases with mafia
Example
The Mafia has been involved in organized crime for decades.
a government system where organized crime groups have significant influence over political and economic affairs
Example
The country has become a mafia state, with corruption and criminal activity rampant in all levels of government.
Example
The police finally caught the notorious mafia boss after years of investigation.
Origins of mafia
from Italian 'mafia', meaning 'boldness'
Summary: mafia in Brief
The term 'mafia' [ˈmæfiə] refers to a secret criminal organization that engages in illegal activities such as gambling, drug trafficking, and murder. It can also refer to a group of people who have a similar way of thinking or behaving, especially one that is not open to others. Examples include 'The mafia controlled the city's drug trade.' and 'The company was run like a mafia, with strict hierarchies and secrecy.' Phrases like 'the Mafia' and 'mafia-style' denote specific aspects of organized crime.