colluded; colluding; colludes
: 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
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
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
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
In his landmark trial, Lai stands accused of two counts of colluding with foreign forces – a crime punishable by life in prison under the 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing – and a separate sedition charge.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
An independent investigation found that NFL owners and management colluded to ensure that nobody followed Watson during the offseason Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, because a free agent in 2023, and nobody but the Ravens bid on his services.
—Omar Kelly
july 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Two lawsuits filed in April accuse hundreds of insurers of colluding to drop policyholders and force them onto the plan, which offers limited policies that typically cost more.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
If so, anything goes California’s war on cars is really just a war on free people
When politicians and developers collude, no one’s property is safe
Many driving-by us on Topanga Canyon honked their horns and flashed thumbs up in support.
—Doug McIntyre, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for collude
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Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
An independent investigation found that NFL owners and management colluded to ensure that nobody followed Watson during the offseason Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, because a free agent in 2023, and nobody but the Ravens bid on his services.
—Omar Kelly
july 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Two lawsuits filed in April accuse hundreds of insurers of colluding to drop policyholders and force them onto the plan, which offers limited policies that typically cost more.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
If so, anything goes California’s war on cars is really just a war on free people
When politicians and developers collude, no one’s property is safe
Many driving-by us on Topanga Canyon honked their horns and flashed thumbs up in support.
—Doug McIntyre, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for collude
Cite this Entry
“Collude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collude. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
collude
intransitive verb
col·lude
kə-ˈlüd 
colluded; colluding
: to agree or cooperate secretly for a fraudulent or otherwise illegal purpose
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