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
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
Conspiracy theories on Butler shooting persist In more than a year since the shooting and preliminary investigation took place, the FBI has released little additional information about Crooks, opening another avenue for conspiracies to run amok, the New York Times reported.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The narrowing of communication channels is perhaps the most devastating impact conspiracies can have on a relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Conspiracy theories on Butler shooting persist In more than a year since the shooting and preliminary investigation took place, the FBI has released little additional information about Crooks, opening another avenue for conspiracies to run amok, the New York Times reported.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The narrowing of communication channels is perhaps the most devastating impact conspiracies can have on a relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracies
Noun
-
Reckless schemes like scaling up desalinated seawater transfers will only worsen the damage.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Basic offensive schemes and defensive principles.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This restriction hampered the MSS’ ability to reduce gangs’ territorial control as gunmen coordinated and simultaneously launched attacks in different corners of the country.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the casualties include protesters and bystanders killed by members of the security forces, but also others killed in subsequent widespread violence and looting by individuals and gangs not associated with the protesters.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For all of Liverpool’s plots and schemes, there could be no plan for the fastest final goal in Champions League history, one scored by Paolo Maldini inside the first minute of the game.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Those old-fashioned TV-show plots with a premeditated murder committed for some explicable reason, that’s really an anachronism.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Prolonged radiation and geomagnetic activity can interfere with GPS networks, disrupt radio signals and damage spacecraft.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
For 48 hours, the Taliban appeared to turn back the clock in Afghanistan with a directive to cut off the internet and phone networks, disconnecting millions of people from the world outside.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Senior running back/defensive end Ishmaiah Elliott intrigues.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Music industry machinations are mostly to blame; a higher supply of albums means more sales, which translates into chart performance and popularity and plain old checks to cash.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Through Jesan’s machinations, it is finally revealed that the Queen Dowager and many court officials campaigned for the execution.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the criminal syndicates and the armed groups hosting them have exploited four years of devastating civil war to expand their business.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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The franchise sees Rambo — haunted by his time at war but equipped with superior military skills — using his expertise against corrupt police officers, crime syndicates, and enemy troops.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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 6 Oct. 2025.
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