cabal 1 of 2

as in Mafia
a group involved in secret or criminal activities a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cabal
Noun
Second, Donald Trump was recruited in a secret campaign to dismantle the cabal. Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025 Underground a cabal of uber wealthy CEOs has created a version of Eden, or More’s Utopia, just in case the world falls apart. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Verb
Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2019 Powell is drawing encouragement from the significant losses of candidates who, like Burton, are backed by the Empower Texans cabal attempting to take control of the Texas Legislature. Richard Greene, star-telegram, 24 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for cabal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal
Noun
  • Seven people were indicted in connection to the ‘largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.’ 19 people were charged in an alleged Mexican Mafia conspiracy to kill L.A. rap artist.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
  • After coming up short en route to the big game, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship last season, the signal-caller is candid about his mindset — and what needs to happen for the team and their beloved Bills Mafia to get to the next level.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Devers clubbed a two-run homer on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox to give the San Francisco Giants a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Hunters killed the birds for meat, shooting or even clubbing the docile birds to death.
    Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Last summer, an Aurora apartment complex was at the center of the TdA gang takeover controversy after a viral video showed heavily armed gang members taking over an apartment by busting down the door with heavy artillery.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
  • These are not the criminals, murderers, gang members and drug dealers we were told would be removed from our country.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • The broadcasts have become dominated by heavy-handed sports gambling ads — an industry that leagues and teams alike have embraced — and the halftime show is pushing prop bets to the masses.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • Later, a brief one-on-one match between Will and league up-and-coming superstar Mane Attraction is shown.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Erik Fleming Erik Fleming, a TV director and former acquaintance of Perry's from Los Angeles' Hawthorne neighborhood, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, per the press release.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 17 June 2025
  • On May 15, 2025, the New Jersey Hammonton Police Department arrested Castaneda for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Weekly analysis and insights from Asia’s largest economy in your inbox Subscribe now On Wednesday, Li urged global business leaders and senior government representatives to collaborate and avoid turning trade into a political or security issue.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • To be released this Friday, the album also includes veterans (David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, John Hiatt, Steve Earle) and newcomers (Charley Crockett, Molly Tuttle), all collaborating with Louisiana musicians on renditions of Chenier tunes.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025
  • Fox News reported that police in Everett, Massachusetts, say Hernandez was involved in a shooting between gang members from 18th Street and the notorious crime syndicate MS-13.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Hamas, which is allied with Iran, sparked the war when its fighters led a rampage into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.
    WAFAA SHURAFA, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
  • Read: Why Israel struck now Iran might also attempt to attack American bases in the region, or to strike Gulf countries allied with the United States.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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