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 Silence in the face of injustice implies complicity. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 One was sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity; the other received a shorter sentence for complicity. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 These stories underscore the pervasiveness of indifference and complicity within Gaza, where the lines between civilians and combatants blur. Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025 Although the new government seems willing to listen to Alawite concerns, there’s a lingering resentment, with many pointing to the community’s complicity in torture and war crimes — whether in the security services or gangs of thugs known as the shabiha — over the 14 years of the conflict. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for complicity 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicity
Noun
  • Caught in the crossfire of accusations, 24-year-old intern Elif is drawn into a dangerous game of secrets and lies, finding herself at the heart of an all-absorbing conspiracy.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
  • There’s no real evidence of a Chiefs conspiracy to speak of.
    Sean Gregory, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Kash was critical to exposing the Russian collusion hoax and bringing truth to the American people.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Fans wanting to claim, with zero evidence by the way, that there was collusion or tampering would do well consider that LA, for many reasons, is just a logical choice For Sasaki.
    Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The arrests were part of wide-ranging Establishment attacks on the new generation of pop stars in Britain at the time, done through connivance with informers and a hostile conservative media.
    Bill Wyman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Of course, this was done with the connivance of politicians.
    Vera Bergengruen/Buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near complicity

Cite this Entry

“Complicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicity. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

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