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

When language became sufficiently sophisticated, our ancestors’ ability to conspire led not only to a more peaceful species but also to a new kind of hierarchy. — Richard Wrangham, WSJ, "Humans: The Domesticated Primates," 10 Jan. 2019 Specifically, 10 different individuals are said to have conspired to steal technology related to turbofan engines in commercial airliners. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "China state-owned company charged with stealing US tech trade secrets," 1 Nov. 2018 Javier Zarracina/Vox Women and health care — not to mention opposition to an unpopular president whose other policies have been bad for women too — have conspired to give Democrats a chance in November. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Why Trump’s attacks on preexisting conditions are an attack on women," 26 July 2018 Two men from Rome were arrested Monday after allegedly using Facebook to conspire to kill one of their wives, cops said. — Campbell Lutz, ajc, "Cops: Two men conspired, threatened to murder one of their wives on Facebook," 28 June 2018 Across Europe — and especially within Italy — recent times have produced a series of bewildering, potentially expensive events that have conspired to replace a spirit of optimism with deepening concern. — Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, "Italy’s Economy Was Humming Nicely. Then Came Trump.," 22 June 2018 The findings in a state audit that uncovered evidence that indicates two former San Ysidro school administrators may have conspired to engage in fraud or misappropriate district funds have been turned over to the District Attorney’s Office. — David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Audit findings related to ex-San Ysidro school administrators turned over to the DA," 16 June 2018 Elsewhere, however, circumstances were starting to conspire against Poland. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 5 Days to Go - What if it Hadn't Rained During Poland vs. West Germany?," 9 June 2018 The country was founded, in 1903, on territory split off from Colombia; the U.S., which had conspired in the secession plot, began building the canal the following year and for decades largely controlled the government. — Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, "The Diplomat Who Quit the Trump Administration," 19 May 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.