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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Recent Examples of cabals
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
The twilight of empire was also a time of conspiracy theories about international Jewish cabals, said to manipulate power through money and shadowy networks in order to rule the world.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabals
Noun
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An IndyStar investigation, which is based on interviews with four dozen people, including current and former inmates, their families and former employees, found Miami Correctional is constantly beset by violence fueled by gangs and drugs.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
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While a decade ago the majority of knife crime perpetrated by young people was related to gangs, this is no longer the case, James Alexander, an associate enterprise fellow in criminology at London Metropolitan University, told CNN.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But other influencers are using the war as an opportunity to peddle antisemitic conspiracies.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Theories about this abound—all have their evidentiary shortcomings—but Greenblatt agrees with a common one that sees Marlowe traveling to France and uncovering Catholic conspiracies against the Crown.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Such crackdowns attract notice from Boswell, who detects a civilian ally in his fight against local syndicates.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
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Elon Musk’s SpaceX has disabled more than 2,500 Starlink devices in and around scam centers in Myanmar, following warnings from activists that mainly Chinese syndicates were using the technology to defraud people worldwide.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Apatow often collaborates with stylist Mimi Cuttrell.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
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To bring this concept to life, Wang collaborates with Hong Kong screenwriter Toe Yuen and co-producer Polly Yeung, who helped connect the project with partners in Japan and France.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Beyond tools and workflow organization, FinBursa’s marketplace is designed to enable professionals to expand their networks organically.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Linking quantum computers to create powerful, high-speed quantum networks involves entangling atoms through a fiber cable.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Hamas has sought to exert control over the rest of the enclave, including in violent clashes with rival clans, some of which receive backing from Israel, and at least one public execution.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
3 Nov. 2025
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In classical antiquity, the mountainous region was notorious for bandits; in modern times, blood feuds among clans were rife.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The downtime will allow crews to install a new track switch before winter arrives.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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The municipality actively supports film crews, offering strong logistical coordination.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Black families who tried to integrate Alabama schools in 1963 faced death threats, white mobs, and school doors blocked by armed police despite federal judges’ integration orders.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Many observers have pointed out the resemblance of the firing campaign to online mobs circa 2020, and the entire episode has reignited debates over the difference between free speech and social censure.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cabals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabals. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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