conspiracy theory

noun

plural conspiracy theories

Definition of conspiracy theory

: 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 … 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

Examples of conspiracy theory in a Sentence

Conspiracy theories sprung up soon after the leader's assassination.

Recent Examples on the Web Swalwell did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, but tweeted that McCarthy was deflecting from other Republicans’ embrace of the QAnon conspiracy theory. — Tal Kopan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Democrats defeat GOP effort to oust Eric Swalwell from House Intelligence Committee," 18 Mar. 2021 The phrase is commonly associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory. — Taylor Romine, CNN, "Man arrested after allegedly defacing 'America's Stonehenge' with suspected QAnon-related graffiti," 5 Mar. 2021 President Joe Biden won last year to Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's extremist rhetoric and the QAnon conspiracy theory. — Kendall Karson, ABC News, "GOP on defense as Democrats harness party's ties to extremism," 8 Feb. 2021 The Martyrs’ connection to Greene, who spent years promoting the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory, illustrates the toxic blend of ideologies at work in the post-Jan. 6 extremist world. — Chris Joyner, ajc, "Militia alliance in Georgia signals new phase for extremist paramilitaries," 4 Feb. 2021 McCarthy met with Greene privately earlier Wednesday to condemn her past statements, among them a belief in the QAnon conspiracy theory. — Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, "Republicans vote to keep Cheney in leadership post amid party-defining moment," 3 Feb. 2021 Schilling has been an outspoken conservative on social media, and has used his platforms to promote the QAnon conspiracy theory. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Players reject Major League Baseball owners’ proposal; season to start as scheduled," 1 Feb. 2021 But during Trump's presidency, Lee began to immerse himself in the online QAnon conspiracy theory. — David D. Kirkpatrick, Star Tribune, "Before the Capitol riot, calls for cash and talk of revolution," 16 Jan. 2021 What is clear is that it was driven, in part, by a largely ad hoc network of low-budget agitators, including far-right militants, Christian conservatives and ardent adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory. — New York Times, "Before the Capitol Riot, Calls for Cash and Talk of Revolution," 16 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conspiracy theory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near conspiracy theory

conspiracy

conspiracy of silence

Statistics for conspiracy theory

Last Updated

22 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Conspiracy theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspiracy%20theory. Accessed 28 Apr. 2021.

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