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 The writer became inspired to counteract his complicity in a corrupt system. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025 Cultural norms around the practice and the complicity of local officials also hinder progress, according to the Centre for Reproductive Rights. Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 Slowly, as the curtain lifts on the institution’s insane practices and the complicity of the town at large, the narrative reaches a wild conclusion that defies expectation. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025 Still, the show stops short of wrestling with either the characters’ complicity in injustice or their evolving feelings in any real detail. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicity
Noun
  • Jones, now 22, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, conspiracy and two weapons offenses.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But last week, the company was declared a transnational criminal organization by United States authorities, and Chen was charged in absentia in New York with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, along with several associates.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Droney found there was no collusion, saying league officials presenting economic information to owners is not indicative of collusion.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • In the United Kingdom, regulators warned that AI systems used in energy markets could unintentionally enable tacit collusion between suppliers.
    Gopinath Kathiresan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Or secretly despise his own connivance?
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
  • In addition, senior executives could be held personally liable when offences involve their consent, connivance or neglect.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicity. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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