collude

verb

col·​lude kə-ˈlüd How to pronounce collude (audio)
colluded; colluding; colludes

intransitive verb

: to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest : conspire, plot
It was arithmetically possible, too, for a handful of senators … to collude with the president to approve a treaty betraying some vital interest to a foreign power.Jack N. Rakove
… the travails of the world's two biggest art-auction businesses, … rivals that now stand accused by the U.S. Justice Department of colluding to rig the auction market by fixing their sales-commission rates.Robert Hughes
… argues that while the kids are not entitled to collective representation, major universities are permitted to collude to prevent players from being paid for their work.David Sirota

Did you know?

Collude Has Latin Roots

The Latin prefix col-, meaning "together," and the verb ludere, "to play," come together to form collude. The related noun collusion has the specific meaning "secret agreement or cooperation." Despite their playful history, collude and collusion have always suggested deceit or trickery rather than good-natured fun.

Examples of collude in a Sentence

The two companies had colluded to fix prices. accused of colluding to block the sale of the vacant land
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet Chicago and Illinois politicians keep colluding with unions and labor organizers to increase labor costs and then wonder where the jobs have gone. Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025 Joyce Carol Oates has created a sinister fable all the more chilling for persuading its readers to collude in the unthinkable. Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 State Farm has also been named as a defendant in an April lawsuit filed by homeowners who accuse dozens of insurers of colluding over the last several years to force them into the California FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort that offers limited but typically expensive coverage. Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 Thomas Jefferson and his co-partisans accused Alexander Hamilton and his supporters of colluding with stock-jobbers to line their pockets. Kevin R. Kosar, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for collude

Word History

Etymology

Latin colludere, from com- + ludere to play, from ludus game — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of collude was in 1525

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Cite this Entry

“Collude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collude. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

collude

intransitive verb
col·​lude kə-ˈlüd How to pronounce collude (audio)
colluded; colluding
: to agree or cooperate secretly for a fraudulent or otherwise illegal purpose

More from Merriam-Webster on collude

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