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

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

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

Like Malcolm X, he eventually saw them for what they were, hardline separatists whose ardour bordered on gangsterism, and he left, quietly, in 1975 to join the Sunni branch of Islam.

From The Guardian • Jun. 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 Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank)