as in syndicates
a number of businesses or enterprises united for commercial advantage
a cartel of oil-producing nations that controls production and influences prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of cartels
Defense Priorities scholars argue that the cartels are being falsely equated with terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, and warn of mission creep without clear objectives or legal justification.
—
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The White House, meanwhile, defended the new military offensive, stating that Trump is simply following through on his promises to combat cartels and, in doing so, is providing more transparency than past presidents.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Then came fentanyl in the 1950s, created not by cartels but by a doctor at his startup Janssen Pharmaceutica, which was later absorbed by Johnson & Johnson in 1961.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Trump to host roundtable on efforts to thwart cartels, human trafficking operations.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Otis says much of those funds go towards helping the Colombians fight the drug cartels.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Limes have been a revenue stream for cartels for years in Mexico.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
However, cartels are not going to quit without a fight.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
The designation places Barrio 18 on the same list as MS-13, a rival group in neighboring El Salvador, as well as the region’s most powerful drug cartels.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The White House, meanwhile, defended the new military offensive, stating that Trump is simply following through on his promises to combat cartels and, in doing so, is providing more transparency than past presidents.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Then came fentanyl in the 1950s, created not by cartels but by a doctor at his startup Janssen Pharmaceutica, which was later absorbed by Johnson & Johnson in 1961.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Trump to host roundtable on efforts to thwart cartels, human trafficking operations.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Otis says much of those funds go towards helping the Colombians fight the drug cartels.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Limes have been a revenue stream for cartels for years in Mexico.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
However, cartels are not going to quit without a fight.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
The designation places Barrio 18 on the same list as MS-13, a rival group in neighboring El Salvador, as well as the region’s most powerful drug cartels.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartels
Noun
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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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In the 2000s and 2010s, small funds and angel syndicates thrived.—
Roman Axelrod,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Chen’s Prince Group employs thousands of people and bills itself as one of the biggest conglomerates in Cambodia, with investments in luxury real estate, banking services, hotels, major construction developments, grocery stores and even luxury watches.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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While the industry here is best known for producing bulk grapes for conglomerates such as Gallo, there are high-quality zinfandel vines that are more than 100 years old, and vintners are experimenting with many other varieties.—
Justin Goldman,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cartels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartels. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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