gangs
Turf-claiming groups
Gangs is the plural of gang—a group united by common purpose or identity.
The word ranges from innocent to sinister: a gang of kids playing together, a work gang on a construction site, or a criminal organization controlling territory through violence.
Street gangs and biker gangs carry connotations of lawlessness.
As a verb, to gang up on someone is to unite against them: They ganged up on the new kid.
Criminal organization using intimidation
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- mobDisorderly, aggressive crowd
- triadGroup of three
- yakuzaJapanese criminal organization
Cosa Nostra · organized crime · underworld · godfather · boss · capo · consigliere · kingpin
Fugitives from justice
- banditsArmed robbers, often roving
- highwaymenArmed roadside robbers
- brigandsRoving armed robbers
- desperadosReckless criminal fugitives
pirates · buccaneers · smugglers · bootleggers · mobsters · rum runners · gunslingers · train robbers
Small working group
- posseArmed group pursuing fugitives
- cliqueExclusive social group
- packGroup or compress
- brotherhoodKinship among men
sisterhood · homies · homeboys · members · associates · recruits · prospects · enforcers
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- drug dealingSelling illegal substances
- robberyTheft through intimidation
assault · drive-by · shootings · hits · retaliation · witness intimidation · protection racket · smuggling
Grass-covered earth surface
- hoodAttached head covering
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- barrioHispanic urban district
- postcodeMail routing identifier
ends · turf war · colors · tagging · claiming · no-go zone · stronghold · corners
Discharges of firearms
- stabbingsAttacks with blades
- beatingsStrikes delivered repeatedly
- drive-byAttack from passing vehicle
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
revenge · jumped out · murder · assault · intimidation · threats · weapons · machetes
Illegal surface markings
- tagsIdentifiers for sorting items
- colorsVisual spectrum variations
- bandanasLarge patterned kerchiefs
- tattoosPermanent skin markings
hand signs · slang · rap · street code · respect · reputation · loyalty · honor
Casual word for complaints
- feudsProlonged bitter conflicts
- vendettasProlonged retaliatory conflicts
- warsOrganized armed conflicts
- enemiesHostile opposing parties
opps · opposition · conflicts · clashes · retaliation · disrespect · alliances · truces
mafia
Criminal organization using intimidation
yakuza · Cosa Nostra · organized crime · underworld · godfather · boss · capo · consigliere · kingpin · don
outlaws
Fugitives from justice
- banditsArmed robbers, often roving
- highwaymenArmed roadside robbers
- brigandsRoving armed robbers
desperados · pirates · buccaneers · smugglers · bootleggers · mobsters · rum runners · gunslingers · train robbers · bushrangers
squad
Small working group
brotherhood · sisterhood · homies · homeboys · members · associates · recruits · prospects · enforcers · lieutenants
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- drug dealingSelling illegal substances
robbery · assault · drive-by · shootings · hits · retaliation · witness intimidation · protection racket · smuggling · fencing
turf
Grass-covered earth surface
postcode · ends · turf war · colors · tagging · claiming · no-go zone · stronghold · corners · projects
shootings
Discharges of firearms
retaliation · revenge · jumped out · murder · assault · intimidation · threats · weapons · machetes · knives
graffiti
Illegal surface markings
tattoos · hand signs · slang · rap · street code · respect · reputation · loyalty · honor · street cred
beefs
Casual word for complaints
- feudsProlonged bitter conflicts
- vendettasProlonged retaliatory conflicts
- warsOrganized armed conflicts
enemies · opps · opposition · conflicts · clashes · retaliation · disrespect · alliances · truces · peace treaties
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
- prisoncell block, inmate, jail, prison, prisoner
- crime historyorganized crime, trial records, criminal records, Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde
- global crimehuman trafficking, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, terrorism, money laundering
- juvenile crimetruancy, vandalism, shoplifting, joyriding, underage drinking
- lawlessnessanarchy, chaos, disorder, lawbreaking, crime
gangsindividuals
Separate, distinct people
loners · lone wolves · hermits · solitaries · isolates
gangslaw enforcement
Upholding legal codes
police · authorities · civic institutions · legal institutions · corporations
gangsprotectors
Those who guard others
guardians · peacekeepers · security forces · defenders · safe havens
- gang upCombine against a target
- gang up onCombine forces against
- ganged upAttacked as group
- ganging upJoining forces against someone
- ganged up onAttacked as a group
- ganging up onUniting against one target
gang, gangster, ganging, gangway, ganged, gangplank, gangland, ganger, gangleader