the culture of belonging to organized gangs of criminals, esp involving violence
gangsterism in American English
(ˈɡæŋstəˌrɪzəm)
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
Word origin
[1925–30, Amer.; gangster + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1925–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buildup, gimmick, hot spot, off-line, turnaround-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)
Examples of 'gangsterism' in a sentence
gangsterism
Industry observers were stunned, with one saying that the ousting 'reeks of gangsterism'.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Some of those arrested were to face charges of gangsterism, police said.
canada.com (2004)
Idealistic and with a flair for dramatic gestures, he became a central player in the political gangsterism of that era.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Gangsters represent a warlord society, and gangsterism is the way of life in a failed state.