conspire

verb

con·spire | \ kən-ˈspī(-ə)r

conspired; conspiring

Definition of conspire

: plot, contrive

1a : to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or an act which becomes unlawful as a result of the secret agreement accused of conspiring to overthrow the government conspired to monopolize and restrict trade

b : scheme

2 : to act in harmony toward a common end Circumstances conspired to defeat his efforts. … the sun and the wind conspired to make splinters out of solid wood.— B. J. Oliphant

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about conspire

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Examples of conspire in a Sentence

conspired to replace the leader with someone more easily influenced foul weather and airline foul-ups seemed to be conspiring to ruin our vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

The question hanging over all the proceedings was why five Anchorage teenagers allegedly conspired together to kill Cynthia Hoffman. — Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, "Three more teens charged in Thunderbird Falls killing," 10 June 2019 The prosecution also argued that Warren had conspired with Irineo Mujica, director of Pueblo Sin Fronteras who ran a migrant shelter in the Mexican border town of Sonyota. — John Moore/getty Images, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Trial revives debate: When does border humanitarian aid become a crime?," 9 June 2019 Prosecutors allege that members of the gang conspired to commit five murders and had planned four others. — James Queally, latimes.com, "Feds indict Aryan Brotherhood prison gang members on murder, drug and other charges," 6 June 2019 As Mackenzie Makatche and her mom conspired to bring more Newfoundland dogs into their family — as if her dad hadn’t noticed the seven beautiful, bear-like slobber factories taking over his house — Makatche’s mom shared her wish for their dogs. — Stephanie Farr, https://www.inquirer.com, "Delco dog mom has 9 Newfoundlands, a huge online following, and her own meme | We the People," 5 June 2019 The face of Guy Fawkes, who in life conspired to blow up Parliament, has always stood against the establishment. — Emma Grey Ellis, WIRED, "Handmaids Tale Garb Is the Viral Protest Uniform of 2019," 5 June 2019 Facebook as of this week is still running paid ads for a prominent antivaccination group that suggests unethical doctors have conspired to hide evidence of harm vaccines do to children. — Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, "Facebook Pledged Crackdown on Vaccine Misinformation. Then Not Much Happened.," 30 May 2019 What happens when circumstances have conspired to not give him the happiest of endings? — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "Everything We Know So Far About 'Star Trek: Picard'," 16 May 2019 On Sunday, July 15, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted a Russian national, Maria Butina, 29, and later charged her with conspiring against the U.S. as a secret agent as part of a Russian covert influence campaign. — Cindy Otis, Teen Vogue, "Accused Russian Spy Maria Butina Was Charged With Conspiring Against the United States as a Secret Agent," 18 July 2018

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