conspiracy theory
noun
plural conspiracy theories
: a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators
the conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's assassination
also
: a theory asserting that a secret of great importance is being kept from the public
… is best known for … his conspiracy theory that a secret cabal of reptilian humanoids is running the world. —
Simon Little
Simon Little … has often been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories such as "birtherism," the theory that President Obama was not born in the U.S. —Grace Segers
Grace Segers Examples of conspiracy theory in a Sentence
Conspiracy theories sprung up soon after the leader's assassination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Orbán, who leads the Fidesz party, has also been accused of using antisemitic tropes, namely through campaigns citing Hungarian-American financier George Soros—a Democratic donor and philanthropist who has often been the subject of conspiracy theories—for domestic purposes.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Other fans shared videos of themselves crying tears of joy, while people who have convinced themselves that Swift is secretly gay pushed more conspiracy theories.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
And those conspiracy theories are usually anti-elite, going back to we the people.
—Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025
Advertisement The Congresswoman also expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory movement, a set of sprawling theories centered around the idea that the world is controlled by a satanic cabal of pedophiles and cannibals, and that Trump is involved in a fight against them.
—Richard Hall, Time, 16 Nov. 2025
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Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Other fans shared videos of themselves crying tears of joy, while people who have convinced themselves that Swift is secretly gay pushed more conspiracy theories.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
And those conspiracy theories are usually anti-elite, going back to we the people.
—Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025
Advertisement The Congresswoman also expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory movement, a set of sprawling theories centered around the idea that the world is controlled by a satanic cabal of pedophiles and cannibals, and that Trump is involved in a fight against them.
—Richard Hall, Time, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conspiracy theory
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracy theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspiracy%20theory. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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