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
Then there’s the widespread QAnon conspiracy claiming that a global cabal of pedophiles is drinking the blood of children to gain immortality. New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025 The three players to my left seem to be acting as a cabal, conferring and voting together. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cabal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal
Noun
  • The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • On the surface, the crime drama follows the rise and fall of the Black Mafia Family — one of the most influential crime families in the country.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Guerrero clubbed three home runs, including a huge grand slam in game two.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
  • After the clubbing scandal, the Finnish media, which had already dubbed her Party Sanna, began ramping up its coverage of Marin’s off-the-clock activities.
    Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • More than 60% of the capital's health facilities, including Haiti's general hospital, are now shuttered or non-functioning because of the surge in gang violence.
    NPR, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In the current funding lapse — which is already longer than most previous government shutdowns — those gangs are nowhere to be found.
    Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, the penalty kill has been a key focus for Detroit’s new coaching staff, and based on personnel, the Red Wings should be able to get closer to league average.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Lasry, who is the CEO and co-founder of Avenue Capital Group, acquired the New York Mavericks – a team with the Professional Bull Riders league – in 2024.
    Alex Sherman,Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As other seemingly unconnected incidents start to happen around her (one friend goes missing, another is attacked), conspiracies are everywhere and Chloe must try to separate truth from fiction while fearing for her life.
    Kate Belli, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Jackson was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, while Dontell was sentenced to 15 years in prison for being an accessory to murder and five years for conspiracy to murder.
    Mason Leath, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With Bleachers, he’s collaborated with heroes like Bruce Springsteen while turning his band into a live juggernaut.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The 28-year-old wunderkind has already garnered numerous Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award wins, and frequently collaborates with another renowned performer, his sister Billie Eilish.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Buford spent years immersing himself in the world of British hooligan soccer syndicates.
    Ed Lavandera, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • In the 2000s and 2010s, small funds and angel syndicates thrived.
    Roman Axelrod, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has long battled an insurgency by armed militants, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Under Sharaa, Syria’s central government is now closely allied to the Arab Gulf countries that have long been Iran’s regional rivals.
    Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 23 Oct. 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!