omertà

[ aw-mer-tah; English oh-mer-tuh ]

/ ˌɔ mɛrˈtɑ; English oʊˈmɛr tə /

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noun Italian.

secrecy sworn to by oath; code of silence.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Words nearby omertà

omelette, omen, omentum, omeprazole, omer, omertà, OMG, omicron, omics, omigod, ominous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use omertà in a sentence

An evil act of intimidation like the Mafia uses is more likely, but this goes against the culture of the ‘omerta’.
Vendetta in the Vineyard: Cult Brunello Producer Loses All His Wine|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This is because the elite officers who comprise the secret SEAL Team Six practice a Mafia-like code of Omerta.
Will ‘No Easy Day’ Book on Bin Laden Raid Break SEALs Code of Silence?|Eli Lake|August 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Like the papacy, there appeared to be a code of omerta and patriarchy.
Penn State's Joe Paterno and a Veil of Secrecy|Jacob Bernstein, Jessica Bennett|November 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The reader will observe how the silence of "the man of honor" is not remotely associated with the Omerta.
Courts and Criminals|Arthur Train

Out of this feeling grew the "Omerta," which paralyzes the arm of justice both in Naples and Sicily.
Courts and Criminals|Arthur Train
You received the kiss upon both cheeks, you accepted the salutation on the brow, you took the oath of the Omerta!
"Persons Unknown"|Virginia Tracy
In point of fact, however, the "Omerta" is not confined to Italians.
Courts and Criminals|Arthur Train

British Dictionary definitions for omertà

omertà

/ Italian (omerˈta) /

noun

a conspiracy of silence

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012