Organized crime families, also known as mafia, have been a part of the criminal underworld for centuries. However, there are several other terms used to refer to these groups. One of the most common synonyms is "criminal syndicate". This term is used to describe a group of individuals who work together to engage in illegal activities such as extortion, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Other synonyms include "crime ring", "gang", and "cartel". Each of these terms describes a group of individuals who work together to commit crimes for financial gain. While these groups may go by different names, they all operate in a similar manner and pose a threat to society.