connivance
noun
con·niv·ance
kə-ˈnī-vən(t)s 
: the act of conniving
especially
: knowledge of and active or passive consent to wrongdoing
He stole millions of dollars with the connivance of his partner.
Examples of connivance in a Sentence
was able to sneak out at night with the connivance of a camp counselor
Recent Examples on the Web
With the connivance of federal judges who wish to keep their dockets pared down, big corporations force aggrieved consumers and workers into arbitration, where the latter are at a disadvantage.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023
But the one commonality is the halo of protection or connivance or collaboration around these characters.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 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
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
Back then, legislators were not just opposed to this or that weapon, but American connivance with an immoral war itself.
—Time, 17 July 2023
Benazir was assassinated in 2007 by the Pakistani Taliban—probably with the connivance of the security forces—while running for a third term in office.
—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020
The legislature, with the eager connivance of Governor Tim Walz, voted routinely in partisan lockstep to enact a wish list of left-wing radicalism.
—The Editors, National Review, 31 May 2023
As the investigation continued, however, Cook and his parents came to suspect that the Murdaughs were trying to pin the blame on him, possibly with the connivance of local law enforcement.
—James Lasdun, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2023
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023
But the one commonality is the halo of protection or connivance or collaboration around these characters.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 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
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
Back then, legislators were not just opposed to this or that weapon, but American connivance with an immoral war itself.
—Time, 17 July 2023
Benazir was assassinated in 2007 by the Pakistani Taliban—probably with the connivance of the security forces—while running for a third term in office.
—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020
The legislature, with the eager connivance of Governor Tim Walz, voted routinely in partisan lockstep to enact a wish list of left-wing radicalism.
—The Editors, National Review, 31 May 2023
As the investigation continued, however, Cook and his parents came to suspect that the Murdaughs were trying to pin the blame on him, possibly with the connivance of local law enforcement.
—James Lasdun, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'connivance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Connivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/connivance. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
connivance
noun
con·niv·ance
kə-ˈnī-vən(t)s
: the act of conniving
especially
: knowledge that something wrong is going on without trying to stop it
Legal Definition
connivance
noun
con·ni·vance
kə-ˈnī-vəns
: the act of conniving especially with regard to a spouse's marital misconduct (as adultery)
also
: a defense to a charge of marital misconduct in a divorce proceeding compare condonation
More from Merriam-Webster on connivance
Nglish: Translation of connivance for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of connivance for Arabic Speakers
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