omertà

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

noun

, Italian.

1. secrecy sworn to by oath; code of silence.

omertà

/ omerˈta /

noun

1. a conspiracy of silence

Example Sentences

“There was a vow of omerta,” she said, referring to the mafia’s code of silence.

From BBC

Many additional endorsement opportunities soon followed, and O.J. rose to unprecedented heights by adopting the omerta on any and all issues related to race, politics and inequality.

From Salon

Godrèche already sent a powerful message to the public through recent interviews in which she denounced an “omerta” in the industry.

From Seattle Times

One of the accusers, Brian Devlin, broke his silence in 2021 in a book where he said the church was beset by silence, secrets and "omerta" - the Italian word for a code of silence practiced by the Mafia.

From BBC

Something darker held the omertà in place privately, among the players themselves.

From New York Times