conspiracies

noun

plural of conspiracy
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 conspiracies That includes $4 million from Richard Uihlein, the Illinois billionaire and Trump supporter who often funds organizations and causes that promote election conspiracies and far-right candidates. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 With their claims of conspiracies and control of the wind, the Republicans have become the party of magical thinking. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026 The conspiracies of the Heat mistakenly leaking James’ decision to return to Miami also picked up steam, and the Heat simultaneously skyrocketed on the Polymarket and Kalshi prediction market platforms as James’ next team. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Despite the conspiracies and complaints, several state workers reported that the forum is extremely helpful for sharing information and getting professional advice. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 The red card was rescinded; the team was unmoored; conspiracies grew overnight, like mushrooms; and a merciless Belgium swept in and trampled, 4–1, on what remained. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 When Argentina played Egypt in the round of 16, the conspiracies exploded. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 13 July 2026 The indictment, returned in Ohio, charges all eight in two separate conspiracies, one to provide material support to terrorists and a second to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official. — Julie Carr Smyth, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Years of allegations and complaints culminated in a 2015 Justice Department indictment of several top soccer officials on charges including racketeering, wire fraud, and money-laundering conspiracies. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracies
  1. gangs
  2. intrigues
  3. schemes
  4. networks
  5. plots
  6. syndicates
  7. cabals
  8. clans
Noun
  • The report said armed gangs also attacked public and private buildings, leading to the suspension of most commercial activities and basic services in the neighborhoods affected by the violence.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The military has also been stretched by efforts to combat armed gangs carrying out mass kidnappings for ransom, and fighting between semi-nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers in states across the center of the country.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of gangs
Noun
  • Netflix announced a second melodrama last December, about the secrets and intrigues of an elite Rio de Janeiro family, created in partnership with Amaia Produções and Conspiração, with general direction by Mauro Mendonça Filho.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 25 May 2026
  • The rich textures and thick ambiance of The Eyes of Others are pure high modernist 1960s Italian cinema, but De Sica unfurls the film’s winding intrigues with a contemporary sense of suspense, carnality, and visual boldness.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of intrigues
Noun
  • But Craig's supporters have argued that the four-term congresswoman is the more electable candidate, especially as Flanagan has been tied to the Minnesota governor's handling of the multimillion-dollar fraud schemes in the state.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Longtime safety Harrison Smith might not return for 2026, costing the Vikings defense its connective tissue, invaluable in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ chaotic schemes.
    — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • That is potentially significant because modern military operations increasingly depend on networks containing aircraft, ships, unmanned systems, sensors and command-and-control nodes from multiple organizations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The city’s manufacturing ecosystem depends on rough stones sourced from around the world, processed by tens of thousands of workers, and funneled into global markets through trading networks centered in Mumbai.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of networks
Noun
  • And the blend of big acting, ambitious sets, and poignant plots helped this show become something truly transcendent.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Characters must be coherent; plots must be tight and any gaps in the plot must be patched.
    — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of plots
Noun
  • Informal mining is a deep problem in South Africa and is connected to criminal syndicates, according to authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • DraftKing's internal data estimates 80% to 90% of prediction market consumer volume comes from betting syndicates and institutional traders, Robins said during the call.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of syndicates
Noun
  • Increasingly, his mind was preoccupied with extremist views and conspiracy theories, including secret government cabals and false-flag operations.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of cabals
Noun
  • All Palestinian clans and families in Gaza would also be a target for disarmament, which would have an impact on the future of Hamas and Palestinian armed struggle.
    — Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Scores attach to a profile, clans compete by country, challenges travel between friends.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of clans

Browse Nearby Words

conspicuously
conspiracies
conspiracy
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Cite this Entry

“Conspiracies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracies. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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