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

Relevance

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
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
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for cabal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal
Noun
  • Snuffy is the nickname of Manuel Quintero, alleged by Los Angeles County prosecutors to be a member of the Mexican Mafia, a group of about 140 men who rule over Southern California’s Latino street gangs.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • Cockney con man Michael Caine, recently released from the clink, puts together a truly ludicrous heist to steal $4 million in Mafia gold bullion from the middle of Turin using Mini Coopers.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • During a three-game series at Daikin Park, the Houston Astros right fielder clubbed two home runs, totaled four hits and drove in five runs.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • Austin Wells homered later in the inning, and the Yankees ultimately won, 20-9, while clubbing a franchise-record nine home runs with a lineup full of torpedo bats.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the ’90s, the Clinton administration began deporting Salvadoran immigrants convicted of crimes in the U.S. back to their homeland, a move that helped propel the rise of powerful gangs in a country that was institutionally weak after years of war.
    Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
  • Martinez Estrella remained convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy and gang assault.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 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
  • And multiple members of the Trump Administration have promoted antisemitic conspiracies and associated with antisemitic extremists.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 30 June 2025
  • Martinez Estrella remained convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy and gang assault.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 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
  • More Michael Tran/FilmMagic His experience echoes decades of collaborating on films like Jurassic Park, Avatar and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Struggling Gatekeepers: In the face of some $44 billion a year in pig-butchering scams conducted by Asian crime syndicates, U.S. banks have failed to prevent mass scale money laundering.
    Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 25 June 2025
  • Thailand earlier this year implemented measures to crack down on online scam operations in neighboring Myanmar, severing electricity, internet and gas supplies to border towns where the syndicates were based.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla and the owner of X, is closely allied with the U.S. administration, having donated more than a quarter-billion dollars to help elect Trump.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
  • Submarine production has become a Pentagon priority because of growing U.S. and allied concerns over China’s rapid naval expansion and its aggressive moves in the Indo-Pacific.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cabal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!