Synonyms of cabal

cabal 1 of 2

noun

kə-ˈbäl 

as in Mafia

a group involved in secret or criminal activities

a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

Synonyms & Similar Words

• Mafia
• gang
• conspiracy
• syndicate
• crew
• network
• clan
• mob
• clique
• ring
• coven
• coterie
• bunch
• crowd
• circle
• oligarchy
• junta
• pack
• set
• lot
• galère

cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

Related Words

• club
• league
• collaborate
• ally
• cooperate
• confederate
• gang up
• hang together
• organize
• coalesce
• affiliate
• team (up)
• group
• unite
• federate
• band (together)
• conglomerate
• associate
• incorporate
• merge
• unionize
• cohere
• knot
• consolidate
• conjoin
• converge
• combine
• tie
• join
• link
• amalgamate
• wed

Dissimilar Words

• disband
• break up
• split
• separate
• part
• dissolve
• divorce
• sever
• segregate
• detach
• disengage
• alienate
• fall out
• disunite
• sunder
• estrange

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cabal

Noun

The twilight of empire was also a time of conspiracy theories about international Jewish cabals, said to manipulate power through money and shadowy networks in order to rule the world. —Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Jeffrey Epstein's cabal of politicians, bureaucrats, and elites who turned a blind eye must be held accountable. —Anna Commander gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Verb

Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. —Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2019

Powell is drawing encouragement from the significant losses of candidates who, like Burton, are backed by the Empower Texans cabal attempting to take control of the Texas Legislature. —Richard Greene, star-telegram, 24 May 2018

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