as in conspiracy
a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose was able to sneak out at night with the connivance of a camp counselor

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 connivance Michael Hiltzik: How the GOP — with Democratic Party connivance — has undermined a crucial effort to avert the next pandemic. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024 But the one commonality is the halo of protection or connivance or collaboration around these characters. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023 The complaint also says Davenport has been gaming the system for years with the rest of the board’s connivance — allegations Davenport and the other members of the board have denied. Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023 Nearly unseated by his popular prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddeq, in 1953, the shah retained his throne with American and clerical connivance. Laura Secor, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2013 See All Example Sentences for connivance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connivance
Noun
  • The jury convicted Patron of intentional killing while engaged in drug trafficking, hostage taking resulting in death and conspiracy to take hostages resulting in death.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Two young soldiers from each reality must unite to solve a government conspiracy.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Leni Riefenstahl, although briefly kept under house arrest by French occupation forces and tried four times by denazification courts, was never formally convicted of complicity in the crimes of the Nazis.
    Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
  • His complicity with the know-how behind making clothes has been a defining feature of his career, leading him to Italy, his business partners, and the factory in Concordia, Italy, that turns out his signature label.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Connivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connivance. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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