1
as in Mafias
a group involved in secret or criminal activities
members of the conspiracy recognized each other by a secret handshake
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in complicities
a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose
a conspiracy among the leading manufacturers to fix prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in schemes
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends
several generals were engaged in a conspiracy to overthrow the government
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conspiracies
These participants, who, like those in our COVID-19 study, prioritized a symbolic show of strength, were more likely to believe in other kinds of misinformation and conspiracies, too, such as that the government is concealing evidence of alien contact.
—
Abraham Rutchick, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Yet the hyperactive news cycle demands everyone create some kind of schema for figuring out what’s going on, and our era is typified with crackpot right-wing conspiracies that fill that void.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Following a six-week trial last fall, CTJ and Si Oh Rhew were found guilty of two conspiracies and multiple counts of failure to file reports of currency transactions.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
Federal prosecutors charged Cannon-Grant with three distinct conspiracies.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
In this week's PEOPLE cover story, Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, sets the record straight on the conspiracies that the King of Rock 'n' Roll is still alive and faked his death at age 42 in 1977, in order to escape fame.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
American politics has long been home to conspiracies and even fracturings of understanding around events, said Nicole Hemmer, a professor of history at Vanderbilt University.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
Orbán’s conspiracies around Soros are gaining traction in the US.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
From there, conspiracies abound.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Abraham Rutchick, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Yet the hyperactive news cycle demands everyone create some kind of schema for figuring out what’s going on, and our era is typified with crackpot right-wing conspiracies that fill that void.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Following a six-week trial last fall, CTJ and Si Oh Rhew were found guilty of two conspiracies and multiple counts of failure to file reports of currency transactions.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
Federal prosecutors charged Cannon-Grant with three distinct conspiracies.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
In this week's PEOPLE cover story, Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, sets the record straight on the conspiracies that the King of Rock 'n' Roll is still alive and faked his death at age 42 in 1977, in order to escape fame.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
American politics has long been home to conspiracies and even fracturings of understanding around events, said Nicole Hemmer, a professor of history at Vanderbilt University.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
Orbán’s conspiracies around Soros are gaining traction in the US.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
From there, conspiracies abound.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracies
Noun
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The Clippers have one remaining preseason game, one more chance for Coach Tyronn Lue to get a look at what lineups and schemes might work before the regular season kicks off next week.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
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Prosecutors accused Zhi of directly managing the compounds by maintaining records, including ledgers tracking profits and which schemes were operating from each room.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During this time, neo-Nazi gangs grew visible at concerts, football matches and in public squares.—
Steve Salter,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The announcement came after the Washington Examiner first reported the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uncovered gangs in Chicago were offered up to $50,000 to assassinate high-ranking ICE officials.—
Sophia Compton , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yet the grandmother and community pillar was entangled in one of South Florida’s most notorious murder-for-hire plots.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
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The pileup of Matlock plots and subplots got to be a bit much last season, especially given that nearly every episode also included a new legal case for Olympia’s team to handle — in less than 44 minutes of screen time, usually.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hackers are now turning Microsoft Teams security threats into real-world dangers that go far beyond corporate networks.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The cuts are expected to be felt across all of the company, from CBS News and the film studio to streaming and TV networks.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His firepower for short stints on the mound intrigues the Rockies.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
29 Sep. 2025
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While plundering a dungeon lair and stealing artifacts from a museum both have heist elements to them, Skullduggery looks into the other intrigues of adventures in urban environments.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Beyond his extensive acting credits, Nighy has become quietly famous for his no-nonsense opinions on the machinations of life and regular sightings in and around London cafés.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
11 Oct. 2025
-
That is because Deadline is checking out the follow-up to John Morton’s BAFTA-winning BBC satirical comedies Twenty Twelve and W1A, shows that have landed cult status for their excruciating ode to Britishness and in-depth examination of the behind-the-scenes machinations of public institutions.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Buford spent years immersing himself in the world of British hooligan soccer syndicates.—
Ed Lavandera,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
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In the 2000s and 2010s, small funds and angel syndicates thrived.—
Roman Axelrod,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The twilight of empire was also a time of conspiracy theories about international Jewish cabals, said to manipulate power through money and shadowy networks in order to rule the world.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracies. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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