complicity

noun

kəm-ˈpli-s(ə-)tē How to pronounce complicity (audio)
Definition of complicitynext
as in conspiracy
a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose the two major auction houses acting in complicity to drive up the prices of art works

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 complicity Neither the company nor the loan officer have been accused of any complicity in the scam. — Emily Elconin For Cnn, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 The production tracks the world’s richest woman returning to her bankrupt hometown with a billion-dollar rescue offer — on the condition that citizens execute her former lover — testing communal morality, complicity and corruption. — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe health care reform is urgently needed, the system thrives on our silent complicity. — Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026 Tristan Tate was also indicted on charges alleging complicity in the case, Romania's anti-organized crime agency said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complicity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicity
  1. conspiracy
  2. collusion
  3. connivance
Noun
  • The two suspects were expected to face charges for robbery, conspiracy and resisting arrest, and were detained at a juvenile detention facility, police said.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Deputies booked Silva into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of voter intimidation, conspiracy to commit bribery, unlawful use of law enforcement insignia and disorderly conduct.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Noun
  • Kaepernick said that amid his collusion grievance, the NFL approached him and teammate Eric Reid, who knelt with him, about becoming faces of a new social justice campaign.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In 2012, the Department of Justice sued Apple and major book publishers for collusion.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of collusion
Noun
  • There was no moon that evening, a detail, Shawn’s mother would later say, when arguing with his father about whether the man was dangerous or not, that was clearly not a coincidence, and showed careful consideration and connivance on his part.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Or was the whole thing a connivance and Mitzi Blinkhorn always destined to win, thanks to some Machiavellian manipulation behind the scenes?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of connivance

Browse Nearby Words

complicities
complicity
complied
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Cite this Entry

“Complicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicity. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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