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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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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The Jalisco cartel benefited from an explosion of mini-cartels and gangs around the country over the past 20 years.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Now, 80% of Port-Au-Prince, the nation's capital, is run by gangs.—
Johnny Resendiz,
CBS News,
23 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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Kennedy has made no bones about his misplaced skepticism of mRNA vaccines, pinging off the proliferating conspiracies around the COVID vaccines — incredible innovations that saved countless lives during one of the worst global catastrophes in recent memory.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
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Of course, complicated government conspiracies, betrayals and high-tech weaponry abound.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Recent Mexican history is riddled with the tales of once-powerful syndicates — gangs in Guadalajara, Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, among them — that ruptured, were gobbled up by other mobs or petered out as the big guys were captured or killed.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Under the creative direction of Jess Minnick of Detroit’s own Not Sorry Goods, each participant collaborates with a local fashion partner to bring their look to life.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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Based in Hong Kong, Lever Style collaborates with around 150 factories across China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and India.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Claude initially warned the unknown user of malicious intent during their conversation about the Mexican government, but eventually complied with the attacker’s requests and executed thousands of commands on government computer networks, the researchers said.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Carr has wielded long-dormant rules requiring broadcast TV stations to offer equal time to opposing candidates as a means of pressuring networks.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Salvation takes place in a mountainous region of Turkey where two Kurdish clans have grown up in constant distrust of each other.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
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Guests can explore clans and heritage, browse vendors, see Highland athletics and get a taste of Scotland through food and sound.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cabals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabals. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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