Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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:

Messina Denaro, seized in January after three decades on the run, died on Monday of cancer in a hospital in central Italy, taking to the grave the secrets of his mafioso past.

From Reuters Sep. 27, 2023

Paul Sorvino could play more than a mobster, even though mafioso roles became standards in his prolific career.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 25, 2022

In many ways they paved the way for his mafioso style of governance.

From Salon Dec. 17, 2021

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

From Seattle Times Oct. 1, 2021

The guy smiled but said nothing, like a mafioso who suspects you’re wearing a wire.

From Washington Post Jul. 1, 2021

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

A player’s true identity is only revealed upon their death, and the game continues until the civilians succeed in rooting out all of the mafiosi, or the mafia outnumber the remaining civilians.

From The Guardian Jan. 28, 2016

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 Jones, Henry Festing

“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

Stereotypes abound when it comes to therapy, whether that’s counselors guiding mafiosos through their anxieties like Dr. Melfi in “The Sopranos” or quippy counselors on the British comedy-drama “Fleabag” giving clients ominous feedback.

From Seattle Times Feb. 19, 2023

“If we were connected to a cartel, we would be the only mafiosos in history to last more than three presidential administrations.”

From New York Times Mar. 6, 2010

“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




Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training