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mafioso

[mah-fee-oh-soh] / ˌmɑ fiˈoʊ soʊ /


NOUN
Mafia
Synonyms
STRONG
WEAK
cosa nostra




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The agents turned to Joey “Socks” Lanza, the mafioso running Manhattan’s Fulton Fish Market, for information.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Prosecutors said the mob chief built a wide array of financial interests that went far beyond traditional mafioso concerns, helping him set up a loyal network of white collar professionals.

From Reuters ● Jan. 25, 2023

But Hollywood eventually took notice and Stockwell earned a supporting actor Oscar nomination for Jonathan Demme’s 1988 comedy “Married to the Mob,” playing mafioso Tony “The Tiger” Russo.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2021

In the film, Tony’s mafioso future isn’t yet a foregone conclusion.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 1, 2021

Raymond looked more like a wizened Italian cobbler than an all-powerful mafioso.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2019

There’s a catch, a gimmick even, as De Niro stars opposite himself, playing both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two notorious real-life Italian American mafiosi who have inspired many movies and documentaries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2025

Far from the stately La Scala opera house, the Opera prison on Milan’s southern edge has over 1,400 inmates, including 101 mafiosi held under a strict regime of near-total isolation.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2024

As a woman who knew mafiosi well, she knew her choice would change her life for ever.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 23, 2018

Other PayPal mafiosi said the company's upcoming independence won't be enough to overcome its reputation as risk-averse and late to adopt new technology, hampering its ability to recruit top engineers.

From Reuters ● Oct. 1, 2014

When I heard this, his extremely courteous manner reminded me of the Robin Hood side of the Cristiani, and of the oriental hospitality of the mafiosi towards strangers. 

From Castellinaria and Other Sicilian Diversions by Henry Festing Jones

“Saying that I defended mafiosos is dark legend. False. I defended people with problems,” he told the podcaster Luis Fernando Villa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

Scorsese grew up in New York’s Little Italy as a Catholic altar boy and aspiring priest who was also fascinated by the mafiosos that loomed large in his community.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

“The Many Saints of Newark,” though, rewinds “The Sopranos” to late ’60s, early ’70s Newark and a different generation of New Jersey mafiosos.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 29, 2021

Judge Gleeson is highly regarded among current and former prosecutors who described his sharp courtroom skills in putting mafiosos and other criminals in jail.

From New York Times ● May 13, 2020

“When Frank Sinatra was alive he’d be dining with a bunch of mafiosos every night, but you guys never brought him in for questioning.”

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez




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