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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Three planeloads of soldiers from El Salvador landed in Haiti on Friday, days after the Central American nation’s president angrily threatened Haitian gangs that ambushed a group of Salvadoran soldiers over the past weekend who remain missing.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Sentenced to life in prison, Buchanan maintained a grip over gangs in the South Bay area of San Diego, according to an FBI report of an informant’s interview.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of gangs

Verb

After hearing a mysterious radio transmission, Hig becomes fixated on seeking more survivors and sets out on a mission that allies him with Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her father (Guy Pearce).

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of allies

Noun

What always entertains me so much about those types of conspiracies is that reality is just as crazy.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
But in recent years, Brand has publicly pivoted to an influencer and podcaster focused on spirituality and heavily leaning toward anti-government conspiracies.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 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

Visages closed its doors in 2000 amid the shift to digital, industry consolidation and competition from major syndicates including Getty Images and Corbis.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
While some more nefarious syndicates might hold your steering or brakes for ransom, a far more common target is your private information.

— Mike McRae October 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of syndicates

Verb

During the summer, the program collaborates daily with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, on wildland fires.

— Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
His team collaborates with costume makers and other specialists, each bringing expertise in areas such as mascots, corsets and casual wear.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of collaborates

Noun

The Sun enters your 11th House, beginning a month focused on friends, communities, collaborations, networks, and your longer-term hopes.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
An analysis published by NYU’s Journal of Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law examines how younger consumers embrace dupe culture and share affordable alternatives openly with their networks.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of networks

Verb

The outlet groups the service under cosmetic tattooing, sometimes marketed as semi-permanent makeup.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026
Because humans can readily resolve patterns in motion — when points move in the same direction, the brain groups them into a unified whole — the moving dots appear as faint letters.

— Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of groups

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“Cabals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabals. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cabals

noun

verb

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