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
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Recent Examples of conspiracies
Wallace is particularly troubled by how quickly hantavirus was incorporated into the COVID-era health conspiracies and the distrust in public health authorities that still thrive in certain online ecosystems.
—
Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
In Russia, indulging in such conspiracies is often less an exercise in political prediction than an expression of deeper anxieties that can be otherwise hard to express.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Sheriff Griffin in North Carolina says many of these disaster tourists spread conspiracies and misinformation to help their videos go viral.
—Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The sites mix factual assertions about their targets with unsubstantiated conspiracies and defamatory claims of misconduct ranging from extortion and embezzlement to drug dealing and prostitution.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
In recognition of its work, the organization’s offices have been firebombed and its personnel have been targeted by conspiracies to commit violence.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The operation primarily centered around false and often bizarre claims about grand conspiracies and government wrongdoing.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Various media watchers have criticized One America News Network for airing false stories and conspiracies as news.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
How conspiracies spread has changed immensely over the history of the United States, as technology and media have evolved.
—Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
In Russia, indulging in such conspiracies is often less an exercise in political prediction than an expression of deeper anxieties that can be otherwise hard to express.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
Sheriff Griffin in North Carolina says many of these disaster tourists spread conspiracies and misinformation to help their videos go viral.
—Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The sites mix factual assertions about their targets with unsubstantiated conspiracies and defamatory claims of misconduct ranging from extortion and embezzlement to drug dealing and prostitution.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
In recognition of its work, the organization’s offices have been firebombed and its personnel have been targeted by conspiracies to commit violence.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The operation primarily centered around false and often bizarre claims about grand conspiracies and government wrongdoing.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Various media watchers have criticized One America News Network for airing false stories and conspiracies as news.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
How conspiracies spread has changed immensely over the history of the United States, as technology and media have evolved.
—Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracies
Noun
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The most productive college players do not necessarily make the best pros—football is an endlessly interconnected game, with twenty-two players interacting within complicated strategic schemes, and the quality of collegiate competition varies widely.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The Institute observed that a UBI program did not necessarily cause inflation; delivery system strength is key; an effective communication strategy is essential; the UBI program should fit within existing schemes; and crises shed light on the gaps in social protection systems.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Suffice to say, the comedians are soon way over their head and find themselves in the middle of a war between rival gangs.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
An outbreak of violence by warring gangs has led to the deaths of at least 80 people, according to human rights advocates, and forced the temporary suspension of operations at both Médecins Sans Frontières’ health facility in Cité Soleil, and Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s a long lineage of revenge plots in fiction and drama and film, of course.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
-
Cinematographer Mátyás Erdély’s gaslamp wash makes the whole thing visually alluring, but the story up to this point is one of malformed double entendres, as Moulin and his cohorts react to more important plots unfolding elsewhere in the war.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
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In Napster’s absence, distributed P2P networks became much more popular.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
20 May 2026
-
Middle regions of the country proved easier for people on the move because the climate was often better for growing crops, soils were fertile and the Mississippi, Ohio and other rivers provided transportation networks.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Plus the balcony is useful for intrigues and gossiping about the people below, as seen at Lady Danbury’s ball in season one of Bridgerton.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Criminal syndicates The consequences extend far beyond South America.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
For one, the Madlanga Commission — set up to investigate whether criminal syndicates and political actors have burrowed into the police, intelligence, and prosecutorial services — is due to submit its interim report at the end of May.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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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Families are assembling adjacent estates over time, creating compounds designed to remain within clans for generations.—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
However, the ruthless King Saran (Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor) has suppressed magic users and enacts a rule of terror, which Zelie hopes to end in order to reunite Orisha’s clans.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracies. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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