CABAL Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cabal 1 of 2

noun

kə-ˈbäl

Definition of cabal next

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

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

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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

Examples of cabal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The most powerful driver of Jacksonian political engagement in domestic politics, similarly, is the perception that Jacksonians are being attacked by internal enemies, such as an elite cabal or immigrants from different backgrounds. —

Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2017 The various political plots (and there are many) are so deliciously over the top that an international cabal often found at their center is called, literally, the Cabal. —

Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2024 Adherents coalesced on a narrative: A cabal of global leaders, who sometimes drank the blood of children, would be exposed and arrested by Trump. —

Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 5 Aug. 2024 These are all ace players getting into a cabal of friends who are frenemies who are suspects. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cabal

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cabal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.