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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cartels
The campaign is expected to go well beyond the traditional sanction — the canceling of visas for those suspected of being in league with cartels.
—
Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The shooter was identified as 27-year-old Mexican citizen Julio César Jasso Ramírez, who acted alone and had no ties to criminal groups or drug cartels, which are usually behind Mexico’s most violent attacks.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Complicating matters for the cartels are the extreme dangers associated with manufacturing carfentanil, Tarentino said.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
But this trend could be threatened by a changing drug landscape, as gangs and cartels shift to producing synthetic substances with industrial chemicals.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Applying total systemic friction on the cartels.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
When cartels lose their leaders, the industry doesn’t collapse.
—Abigail R. Hall, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
The closure forced Kenyan khat traders to route exports to Somalia through costly air shipments, which drove up prices and left farmers at the mercy of cartels who levied unofficial commissions.
—Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
If, on the other hand, the main problem Sanders wants to address is teams relocating, Propheter said federal lawmakers should change laws that allow the NFL and other major professional sports leagues to act as cartels, which work together to limit competition and fix prices.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The shooter was identified as 27-year-old Mexican citizen Julio César Jasso Ramírez, who acted alone and had no ties to criminal groups or drug cartels, which are usually behind Mexico’s most violent attacks.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Complicating matters for the cartels are the extreme dangers associated with manufacturing carfentanil, Tarentino said.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
But this trend could be threatened by a changing drug landscape, as gangs and cartels shift to producing synthetic substances with industrial chemicals.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Applying total systemic friction on the cartels.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
When cartels lose their leaders, the industry doesn’t collapse.
—Abigail R. Hall, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
The closure forced Kenyan khat traders to route exports to Somalia through costly air shipments, which drove up prices and left farmers at the mercy of cartels who levied unofficial commissions.
—Joseph Maina, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
If, on the other hand, the main problem Sanders wants to address is teams relocating, Propheter said federal lawmakers should change laws that allow the NFL and other major professional sports leagues to act as cartels, which work together to limit competition and fix prices.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cartels
Noun
-
As with other criminal syndicates, the cartel has long oiled the gears of corruption with bribes.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Greg began creating and submitting comic strip ideas to syndicates, collecting an impressive pile of rejection slips.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To deliver his message, Johnson chose Sinaloa state — the base of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the world’s most notorious drug-trafficking conglomerates.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Seraya may seek a valuation of about $2 billion for Cyan, which has drawn early interest from other infrastructure investors, industry players and conglomerates, the people said.—
Manuel Baigorri,
Bloomberg,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cartels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cartels. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
