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Crime syndicate: meaning, definitions and examples

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crime syndicate

 

[ kraɪm ˈsɪndɪkət ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

organized crime

A crime syndicate is a group of individuals or organizations that engage in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. These groups often operate in a hierarchical structure with leaders who oversee various criminal operations.

Synonyms

cartel, criminal organization, mafia.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crime syndicate

Utilize when referring to a large, structured criminal group involved in organized crime activities. Typically involves multiple criminal enterprises working together.

  • The police are investigating a major crime syndicate involved in drug trafficking and money laundering
criminal organization

A broader term appropriate for any group of individuals systematically engaging in illegal activities. It does not specify the type of crime.

  • The city has been plagued by a series of crimes linked to a notorious criminal organization
mafia

Typically refers to a specific organized crime syndicate of Italian origin. Nowadays, it can also denote powerful, hierarchical criminal organizations in general, often with a negative connotation.

  • He owed a large debt to the mafia, which he struggled to pay back under threat of violence
cartel

Best used when describing a consortium of independent organizations or businesses that work together to control production and prices, often illegally. Most commonly associated with drug trafficking.

  • The authorities uncovered a drug cartel responsible for smuggling narcotics across the border

Examples of usage

  • The crime syndicate was responsible for smuggling large quantities of drugs into the country.
  • The police have been working to dismantle the crime syndicate operating in the city.

Translations

Translations of the word "crime syndicate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sindicato do crime

🇮🇳 अपराध सिंडिकेट

🇩🇪 Verbrechersyndikat

🇮🇩 sindikasi kejahatan

🇺🇦 злочинний синдикат

🇵🇱 syndykat przestępczy

🇯🇵 犯罪組織 (はんざいそしき)

🇫🇷 syndicat du crime

🇪🇸 sindicato del crimen

🇹🇷 suç sendikası

🇰🇷 범죄 조직 (beomjoe jojik)

🇸🇦 نقابة الجريمة

🇨🇿 zločinecký syndikát

🇸🇰 zločinecký syndikát

🇨🇳 犯罪集团 (fànzuì jítuán)

🇸🇮 zločinski sindikat

🇮🇸 glæpaklíka

🇰🇿 қылмыстық синдикат

🇬🇪 დანაშაულებრივი სინდიკატი

🇦🇿 cinayət sindikatı

🇲🇽 sindicato del crimen

Etymology

The term 'crime syndicate' originated in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States during the Prohibition era. It was used to describe organized criminal groups that controlled various illegal activities. These syndicates often had intricate networks and connections across different cities, making them difficult to dismantle. Over the years, the term has been commonly used to refer to any organized crime group involved in illicit activities.