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as in Mafia
a group involved in secret or criminal activities members of the conspiracy recognized each other by a secret handshake

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2
as in complicity
a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose a conspiracy among the leading manufacturers to fix prices

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun conspiracy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conspiracy are cabal, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When would cabal be a good substitute for conspiracy?

The synonyms cabal and conspiracy are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

When might intrigue be a better fit than conspiracy?

While the synonyms intrigue and conspiracy are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of conspiracy?

In some situations, the words machination and conspiracy are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is it sensible to use plot instead of conspiracy?

While in some cases nearly identical to conspiracy, plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

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 conspiracy According to police, the teens were arrested around 3 a.m. and charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer/resisting, third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal trespass, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and second-degree criminal trover. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025 When a drug bust at a party attended by high-profile second-generation VIPs leads to a dangerous conspiracy, the yadang must fight to survive. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025 Defense attorneys say Read was a victim of a conspiracy involving the police. Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025 While his character in Abbott Elementary may revel in quirky antics and conspiracies, Davis’ off-screen approach to the craft is rooted in intention and resilience. Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conspiracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy
Noun
  • The first episode of Season 2 delves into the Pagan Biker Gang, and the rest of the season will unpack organizations like Fresno Bulldogs, Nuestra Familia, Black Mafia Family, Vagos and Aryan Sisters of Texas.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump and his allies in power are trying to erect an authoritarian Mafia state like the one Vladimir Putin and his cronies established in Russia.
    Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Their silence and complicity in the face of a devastating constitutional crisis speak volumes, and their inaction will be remembered.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Dinges has written widely on Washington’s complicity in the murderous activities of South American military juntas in the 1970s.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The project looks at the 1980s rise and fall of Joe Hunt and young and wealthy men who made up an exclusive investment group who descended into a fraud scheme that led to murder.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 May 2025
  • The fraud scheme The murder was part of a broader financial fraud scheme.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Abrego Garcia denies being a gang member and has no criminal convictions.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • The Trump administration has increased enforcement actions targeting violent MS-13 or Tren de Aragua gang members who have entered the country illegally.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • There's also a high level of collusion among these actors.
    Nick Rieniets, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • State Farm and other major insurers have been sued for alleged collusion.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Days after Entertainment Weekly learned that the Scandal star and Onyx Collective are developing a reboot of the classic ABC dramedy, Washington teased plot details for the upcoming project to The View cohosts in response to a question from Ana Navarro.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • Pretending to love the enemy, spurred on by her real love, the romantic plot provides the film’s clever, titillating energy.
    Paul Vidich, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Long story short: This is the tale of the rise and fall of the Sith's massive criminal syndicate away from the Empire's prying eyes, so expect more of the surprisingly dark tone past shows have often flirted with.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • While the Trump administration has alleged that Abrego Garcia is connected to the notorious crime syndicate MS-13, he has not been formally charged with any crime.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The arrests were part of wide-ranging Establishment attacks on the new generation of pop stars in Britain at the time, done through connivance with informers and a hostile conservative media.
    Bill Wyman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Of course, this was done with the connivance of politicians.
    Vera Bergengruen/Buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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