gangsterism

American  

[gang-stuh-riz-uhm] / ˈgæŋ stəˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. the methods or behavior of gangsters.

2. the use of tactics associated with gangsters, as intimidation or violence, in order to achieve something.

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gangsterism British  

/ ˈɡæŋstərɪzəm /

noun

1. the culture of belonging to organized gangs of criminals, esp involving violence

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Etymology

Origin of gangsterism

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; gangster + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gangsterism

Karl managed to turn his life around and "from the age of 18 I began denouncing gangsterism and I was fortunate to get out".

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2023

Far from whitewashing the Saudi regime, Ignatius depicts the royal court as a cockpit of rage, corruption, and respectable gangsterism.

From Salon ● Nov. 30, 2018

Despite the sardonic way Mr. Cohen’s films equate gangsterism with all-American capitalism, there’s not much in the way of effective subversion, subtextual or otherwise.

From New York Times ● Feb. 9, 2017

Individual rights have been infringed on, money has been wasted, and gangsterism has flourished, while failing to protect the health of athletes.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 4, 2016

They represent six-shooter culture at its zenith—the wild and woolly side of the West—a stage between receding bowie knife individualism of the backwoods and blackguard, machine-gun gangsterism of the city.

From Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest, with a Few Observations by J. Frank (James Frank) Dobie