as in Mafias
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cabals
Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
With a story of secret cabals and a child born to rule, Dumont projects the nasty prejudices and bureaucratic rigors of local politics, the tangles of family allegiances, and the tender grunge of young lust into divine and diabolical clashes run from celestial and subterranean castles.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
Thomas Pynchon’s latest novel, Shadow Ticket, set in 1932 Milwaukee, takes place in a landscape of industrial ghosts, strike-breakers, fascist sympathizers and absurdist cabals.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
With a story of secret cabals and a child born to rule, Dumont projects the nasty prejudices and bureaucratic rigors of local politics, the tangles of family allegiances, and the tender grunge of young lust into divine and diabolical clashes run from celestial and subterranean castles.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabals
Verb
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The ash people’s perspective allies them with the group looking to strip-mine Pandora’s resources.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues to deteriorate, as armed gangs control 90 percent of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, while continuing to expand their presence elsewhere, according to the United Nations.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gangs have grown in power.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These are in addition to private members clubs The Wilde and Cipriani, among other highlights.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Jan. 2026
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Shane Stant clubs Kerrigan on the knee and flees the scene.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Set three years after the Imjin War, Kingdom sees a mysterious plague spreading throughout the Joseon Dynasty, which is sure to meddle in the various political conspiracies.—
Sammi Burke,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
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One month later, Turning Point’s flagship conference descended into recriminations over the very controversies and conspiracies that its founder had endeavored so assiduously to suppress.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Adams put together a portfolio of his workday doodles and sent it to several newspaper syndicates.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
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Outside the capital, guerrilla groups and organized crime syndicates are exploiting the power vacuum along Venezuela’s borders and in its resource-rich interior.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Carey often collaborates with stylist Wilfredo Rosado, responsible for curating the opulent styles the singer has worn in the recent past.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
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The concierge collaborates with local artists and curators to create tailored experiences like private gallery or museum tours, studio visits, and neighborhood walks designed to reflect each guest’s interests.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Investigators also identified at least one suspect who was allegedly communicating with an overseas supplier based in China, highlighting the international reach of modern drug trafficking networks.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Training biological networks is slow, results are noisy, and reproducibility remains a challenge.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ten clans or more gather at the end of the movie.—
Ingrid Schmidt,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
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Some of those clans have since dwindled or decamped for more populated areas.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cabals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabals. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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