mafioso
Organized crime member
A mafioso is a member of the Mafia—the organized crime syndicates originating in Sicily and Italy, or their American counterparts.
The term can apply to any participant in such organizations, from foot soldiers to bosses.
More loosely, mafioso describes anyone who behaves like a gangster or operates through intimidation and backroom deals: He ran the union like a mafioso.
Plural: mafiosi.
Criminal vow of silence
- code of silenceTacit agreement against disclosure
- blood oathVow sealed by bloodshed
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- brotherhoodKinship among men
respect · honor · vendetta · famiglia · loyalty · fidelity · devotion · trust
Mediterranean's biggest island
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
- PalermoSicilian regional capital
- NeapolitanOf a southern Italian city
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
Iconic mob trilogy
- ScarfaceCriminal's disfigurement-based nickname
- Goodfellas1990 gangster film
- CorleoneMob clan surname
- PacinoItalian-American film legend
Tony Soprano · Marlon Brando · wise guy · connected · outfit · mob · gangster · organized crime
Put on attire
- capoString-shortening clamp device
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- bossWorkplace superior
made man · godfather · associate · crew · famiglia · initiation · button man
Professional paid murderer
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- contract killingPaid assassination job
- ruboutSlang for murder
whack · ice pick · cement shoes · garrote · drive-by · vendetta · execution · ambush
Conducting illegal business schemes
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- bootleggerIllegal liquor trafficker
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
loan sharking · gambling · narcotics · hijacking · kickback · skim · front business · numbers game
Obtaining through threats
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- muscleContractile body tissue
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
shakedown · protection racket · fear · blackmail · retribution · menace · knee-capping · warning
omertà
Criminal vow of silence
- code of silenceTacit agreement against disclosure
- blood oathVow sealed by bloodshed
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
brotherhood · respect · honor · vendetta · famiglia · loyalty · fidelity · devotion · trust · solidarity
Sicily
Mediterranean's biggest island
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
- PalermoSicilian regional capital
- NeapolitanOf a southern Italian city
The Godfather
Iconic mob trilogy
- ScarfaceCriminal's disfigurement-based nickname
- Goodfellas1990 gangster film
- CorleoneMob clan surname
Tony Soprano · Marlon Brando · Pacino · wise guy · connected · outfit · mob · gangster · organized crime · wiseguy
don
Put on attire
- capoString-shortening clamp device
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
boss · made man · godfather · associate · crew · famiglia · initiation · button man
hitman
Professional paid murderer
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- contract killingPaid assassination job
rubout · whack · ice pick · cement shoes · garrote · drive-by · vendetta · execution · ambush · kneecap
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- bootleggerIllegal liquor trafficker
contraband · loan sharking · gambling · narcotics · hijacking · kickback · skim · front business · numbers game · protection money
extortion
Obtaining through threats
coercion · shakedown · protection racket · fear · blackmail · retribution · menace · knee-capping · warning · intimidate
- organized crimemob, the mob, syndicate, crime syndicate, crime syndicates
- Italian slangbasta, prego, ciao, bella, mica
mafiosopolice officer
Law enforcement agent
cop · FBI agent · detective · prosecutor · district attorney
mafiosopickpocket
Thief who steals carried items
snitch · mugger · shoplifter
mafiososaint
Canonized holy person
Good Samaritan · humanitarian · whistleblower · philanthropist · public servant