collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose

acting in collusion with the enemy

collusive

kə-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

collusively adverb

Synonyms of collusion

• conspiracy
• complicity

Examples of collusion in a Sentence

The company was acting in collusion with manufacturers to inflate prices.

there was collusion between the two companies to fix prices

Recent Examples on the Web

Mohammadi had been serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Iran’s government. —CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026

The media tycoon, who founded pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted in December for collusion with foreign forces, among other charges. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026

Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon have frequently accused UNIFIL of collusion with Israel and have sometimes attacked its patrols. —Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026

The Department of Energy’s recent revamping of nuclear safety directives in collusion with the industry allows fast-tracking of construction and operation of experimental nuclear reactors. —Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin collusion-, collusio, from colludere — see collude

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for collusion

• allusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion
• infusion

Kids Definition

collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: secret agreement or cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose

collusive

-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

Legal Definition

collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: the act or an instance of colluding

collusive

-siv 

adjective