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
Trump has also repeatedly lashed out over the state’s incarceration of Tina Peters, the former county clerk convicted of state felonies related to her attempts to prove discredited election conspiracies shared by the president.
—
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Contrary to what many may think, the researchers found no correlation between a person’s level of education and their capacity to believe in absurd conspiracies.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
What's the deal with Denver Airport's conspiracies?
—Hana Al-Khodairi, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Jan. 2026
In the old days, there were conspiracies about the moon landing.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
As frigid Cold War conspiracies start unfolding, they’re roped into becoming CIA operatives to help uncover what exactly happened to their partners.
—Lucy Ford, Time, 27 Dec. 2025
And executive privilege, even if invoked, would likely not apply to electoral conspiracies.
—Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Their pleas on Monday in Fort Lauderdale federal court to wire-fraud conspiracies mark the latest developments in a three-year federal crackdown on about 50 private nursing school owners and associates in South Florida, with only two remaining as defendants facing trial in 2026.
—Jay Weaver
december 18, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
But other influencers are using the war as an opportunity to peddle antisemitic conspiracies.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Contrary to what many may think, the researchers found no correlation between a person’s level of education and their capacity to believe in absurd conspiracies.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
What's the deal with Denver Airport's conspiracies?
—Hana Al-Khodairi, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Jan. 2026
In the old days, there were conspiracies about the moon landing.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
As frigid Cold War conspiracies start unfolding, they’re roped into becoming CIA operatives to help uncover what exactly happened to their partners.
—Lucy Ford, Time, 27 Dec. 2025
And executive privilege, even if invoked, would likely not apply to electoral conspiracies.
—Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Their pleas on Monday in Fort Lauderdale federal court to wire-fraud conspiracies mark the latest developments in a three-year federal crackdown on about 50 private nursing school owners and associates in South Florida, with only two remaining as defendants facing trial in 2026.
—Jay Weaver
december 18, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
But other influencers are using the war as an opportunity to peddle antisemitic conspiracies.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracies
Noun
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His innovative play-calling and offensive schemes emphasizing speed put opposing defenses on their heels.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
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Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer on Tuesday introduced legislation to denaturalize certain citizens in response to massive fraud schemes in the state.—
Riley Moser,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The pacing was a little ironic, given the fact Martinez requested a speedy trial, but his attorneys wanted to go through several pieces of evidence before they were presented to the jury — mostly transcripts with references to gangs.—
Sara Machi,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
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Its possible seizure by gangs or political spoilers would be widely viewed as a sign of total state collapse.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The two plots of land up for rezoning are near Anglin Circle and Enon Avenue.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Many gardeners grow herbs in their garden plots, raised beds, or in containers.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Traditional infrastructures depend on predictable, centralized controls, whereas the Web3 environment operates on open networks, real-time settlement, and evolving code.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Blue Origin claims the satellites positioned in medium Earth orbit will reach speeds of 6 terabits per second, which is much faster than the hundreds of megabits offered by today’s leading satellite networks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even when insulted or thwarted – by Spanish intrigues on the Florida frontier, by British seizures in the Caribbean, by pamphleteers accusing him of being a monarch in disguise – Washington’s tone remained measured.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
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At 63 herself, Foster intrigues as well.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Outside the capital, guerrilla groups and organized crime syndicates are exploiting the power vacuum along Venezuela’s borders and in its resource-rich interior.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Many of the scam compounds operating across Southeast Asia are run by Chinese crime syndicates.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Thomas Pynchon’s latest novel, Shadow Ticket, set in 1932 Milwaukee, takes place in a landscape of industrial ghosts, strike-breakers, fascist sympathizers and absurdist cabals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Dec. 2025
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With a story of secret cabals and a child born to rule, Dumont projects the nasty prejudices and bureaucratic rigors of local politics, the tangles of family allegiances, and the tender grunge of young lust into divine and diabolical clashes run from celestial and subterranean castles.—
JUSTIN CHANG,
New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
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For example, Crow people have held onto their nation's language; neighbors are often family, or considered such; and many tribal members rely on their clans to mentor children, who eventually become mentors themselves for the next generation.—
Katheryn Houghton,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2026
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But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracies. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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