CABALS Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

cabals 1 of 2

noun

plural of cabal

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

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cabals

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cabal

as in allies

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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 cabals

Noun

Increasingly, his mind was preoccupied with extremist views and conspiracy theories, including secret government cabals and false-flag operations. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 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

Noun

The report said armed gangs also attacked public and private buildings, leading to the suspension of most commercial activities and basic services in the neighborhoods affected by the violence.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
The military has also been stretched by efforts to combat armed gangs carrying out mass kidnappings for ransom, and fighting between semi-nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers in states across the center of the country.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of gangs

Verb

But the rub this time is the introduction of Varang (Oona Chaplin), an unhinged leader of a tribe who allies herself with human villains.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 July 2026
The ash people’s perspective allies them with the group looking to strip-mine Pandora’s resources.

— David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025

Definition of allies

Noun

That includes $4 million from Richard Uihlein, the Illinois billionaire and Trump supporter who often funds organizations and causes that promote election conspiracies and far-right candidates.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
With their claims of conspiracies and control of the wind, the Republicans have become the party of magical thinking.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of conspiracies

Verb

That advantage was in large part offset by payments from UEFA’s ‘value pillar’, a mechanism which awards clubs money based upon their coefficient ranking (determined by past performance in European competition) and the size of their nation’s broadcast rights deal for the competition.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 30 May 2026
Their top-30 visits, where NFL clubs host prospects at their facilities to gather further intel, are often smokescreens.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Definition of clubs

Noun

Informal mining is a deep problem in South Africa and is connected to criminal syndicates, according to authorities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
DraftKing's internal data estimates 80% to 90% of prediction market consumer volume comes from betting syndicates and institutional traders, Robins said during the call.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of syndicates

Verb

In addition to the Formula One series, Glenfiddich also collaborates with Aston Martin's road car division on ultra-premium vintage releases aimed at collectors.

— Emily Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The initiative collaborates with the Shark Lab to share sightings with the public and lifeguards in the SharkEye project.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of collaborates

Noun

That is potentially significant because modern military operations increasingly depend on networks containing aircraft, ships, unmanned systems, sensors and command-and-control nodes from multiple organizations.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
The city’s manufacturing ecosystem depends on rough stones sourced from around the world, processed by tens of thousands of workers, and funneled into global markets through trading networks centered in Mumbai.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of networks

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“Cabals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabals. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cabals

noun

verb

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