as in conspiracy
a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose was able to sneak out at night with the connivance of a camp counselor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of connivance Michael Hiltzik: How the GOP — with Democratic Party connivance — has undermined a crucial effort to avert the next pandemic. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024 But the one commonality is the halo of protection or connivance or collaboration around these characters. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023 The complaint also says Davenport has been gaming the system for years with the rest of the board’s connivance — allegations Davenport and the other members of the board have denied. Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023 Nearly unseated by his popular prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddeq, in 1953, the shah retained his throne with American and clerical connivance. Laura Secor, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2013 See All Example Sentences for connivance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connivance
Noun
  • Although the incidents were, on paper, entirely separate, Skeet and his allies believed they were linked and evidence of a conspiracy, orchestrated by Brandon and his allies, to remove them from power in the county.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • But those on higher floors live better than those on lower floors, so drama and conspiracy run wild.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Where other projects have found success discussing the same notions bleakly, Etzler trusts his sardonic approach will tempt audiences to let their guards down and allow the subject matter to resonate, perhaps looking inward at their own complicity in the process.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Slowly, as the curtain lifts on the institution’s insane practices and the complicity of the town at large, the narrative reaches a wild conclusion that defies expectation.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Droney found there was no collusion, saying league officials presenting economic information to owners is not indicative of collusion.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • In the United Kingdom, regulators warned that AI systems used in energy markets could unintentionally enable tacit collusion between suppliers.
    Gopinath Kathiresan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Connivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connivance. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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