collude

verb

col·​lude kə-ˈlüd 

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.

Synonyms

• compass
• connive
• conspire
• contrive
• intrigue
• machinate
• plot
• put up
• scheme

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

Rival leaders can also tacitly collude with each other to avoid war. —Erik Lin-Greenberg, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2024

The former spymaster, once an aspirant for the position of army chief, has been accused of colluding with Mr. Khan to destabilize the tenure of Gen. Asim Munir, the current head of the Pakistan Army, and of helping to orchestrate the riots of May 9, 2023. —Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024

Rental Costs: Harris would also expand a tax credit for housing developers who build affordable housing rental units, and is calling on Congress to pass legislation that would stop predatory investors who buy up rental homes and collude with each other to raise rental prices. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

The commission banned former Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield from Exxon’s board, accusing him of colluding with OPEC to raise oil prices. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024

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

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Legal Definition

collude

intransitive verb

col·​lude kə-ˈlüd 

colluded; colluding

: to agree or cooperate secretly for a fraudulent or otherwise illegal purpose