1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in scheme
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 conspiracy
She has been charged with conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, money laundering, make and receive straw donor contributions, and make a false and fraudulent statement on a tax return, according to the indictment.
—
Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Far from shedding light on a grand conspiracy, however, the files bolster the case that although terrible crimes were committed, there never was a larger conspiracy to begin with.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
As of press time, the jury had not returned a verdict on the conspiracy charge.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Ethan's mother, Valerie Hamilton, and stepfather, Shane Shelton, were charged with one count of felony murder, two counts of first-degree child abuse, one count of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conspiracy
Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Far from shedding light on a grand conspiracy, however, the files bolster the case that although terrible crimes were committed, there never was a larger conspiracy to begin with.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
As of press time, the jury had not returned a verdict on the conspiracy charge.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Ethan's mother, Valerie Hamilton, and stepfather, Shane Shelton, were charged with one count of felony murder, two counts of first-degree child abuse, one count of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conspiracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy
Noun
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The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
On the surface, the crime drama follows the rise and fall of the Black Mafia Family — one of the most influential crime families in the country.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The work ultimately was not about murder or church burning or Satanic panic, but about complicity, reflecting Ruch’s role as the accomplice back onto the viewer.—
Rachel Wetzler,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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That is partly out of knee-jerk complicity with the culture of leadership and celebrity worship.—
Aleksandar Hemon,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Roman, 53, who was born in Atlantic City, is expected to coordinate the run game as a complement to Nagy’s passing scheme that has its roots with future Hall of Fame Chiefs coach Andy Reid.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As armed gangs now control up to 90% of metropolitan Port-au-Prince and parts of the Artibonite region -- areas that together represent roughly 60% of the electorate -- Washington has emphasized the need for stability and a swift path to elections rather than a prolonged transition.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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As armed gangs now control up to 90% of metropolitan Port-au-Prince and parts of the Artibonite region — areas that together represent roughly 60% of the electorate — Washington has emphasized the need for stability and a swift path to elections rather than a prolonged transition.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Earlier versions of this technology were announced in 2018 by Qualcomm and showed how integrating advanced semiconductors can level up cars by adding collusion avoidance and emergency brake alerts.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Mohammadi had been serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Iran’s government.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Indeed, depth would only get in the way of the plot, which is primarily concerned with fooling you and fooling you again.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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That’s what this plot requires.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Thirty-nine-year-old Juan Manuel Lanz, secretary general of Mahahual’s taxi syndicate, represents about 500 people.—
Natalie Leticia Gallón,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Individuals and groups have often accused the U.S. government of denying their rights, and some of those accusations were irrefutable—as in the century between Appomattox and Selma, when the rights of Black Americans were denied throughout the South with the connivance of Washington.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
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But widespread disgust with the mayor’s mendacity and the connivance of eight City Council members is changing the political landscape.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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