cabal

1 of 2

noun

ca·​bal kə-ˈbäl  -ˈbal 

1

: the contrived schemes of a group of persons secretly united in a plot (as to overturn a government)

also : a group engaged in such schemes

2

: club, group

a cabal of artists

cabal

2 of 2

verb

caballed; caballing

intransitive verb

: to unite in or form a cabal

Did you know?

Cabal has been associated with a group of five ministers in the government of England's King Charles II. The initial letters of the names or titles of those men (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and Lauderdale) spelled cabal, and they have been collectively dubbed as the "Cabal Cabinet" or "Cabal Ministry." But these five names are not the source of the word cabal, which was in use decades before Charles II ascended the throne. The term traces back to cabbala, the Medieval Latin name for the Kabbalah, a traditional system of esoteric Jewish mysticism. Latin borrowed Cabbala from the Hebrew qabbālāh, meaning "received or traditional lore."

Synonyms

Noun

• conspiracy
• crew
• gang
• Mafia
• mob
• ring
• syndicate

Choose the Right Synonym for cabal

plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end.

plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Examples of cabal in a Sentence

Noun

a cabal plotting to overthrow the government

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Underground a cabal of uber wealthy CEOs has created a version of Eden, or More’s Utopia, just in case the world falls apart. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

QAnon is a conspiracy theory that posits the country is run by a cabal of Satanic, pedophilic Democrats who can only be stopped by President Donald Trump. —Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French cabale cabala, intrigue, cabal, from Medieval Latin cabbala cabala, from Late Hebrew qabbālāh, literally, received (lore)

First Known Use

Noun

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cabal

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale
• downfall

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Kids Definition

cabal

noun

ca·​bal

kə-ˈbal,

-ˈbäl

: a small group of persons working together secretly (as to take over a government)