1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Lockridge was convicted by a Texas jury in June of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, while Reis pleaded guilty to the same charge in August. Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 This means there were others involved … That’s a conspiracy … More arrests need to be made. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Much of the conspiracy theorizing over Balaji’s death has to do with the refusal of his parents to accept the official findings and insistence that he was murdered. Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025 Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith is suing a Southlake businessman and Traders Domain FX for fraud, unjust enrichment and conspiracy, according to a lawsuit filed in Dallas County. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conspiracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy
Noun
  • 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
  • Leni Riefenstahl, although briefly kept under house arrest by French occupation forces and tried four times by denazification courts, was never formally convicted of complicity in the crimes of the Nazis.
    Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
  • His complicity with the know-how behind making clothes has been a defining feature of his career, leading him to Italy, his business partners, and the factory in Concordia, Italy, that turns out his signature label.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In Don’t Get High, an alpha dork and her merry gang of dweebs start an anti-drug group at their high school to make friends and influence people.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This week, 32 member states of the OAS issued a joint statement supporting efforts by the United States and Panama to field a more aggressive force into Haiti to fight the gangs.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Droney found there was no collusion, saying league officials presenting economic information to owners is not indicative of collusion.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • In the United Kingdom, regulators warned that AI systems used in energy markets could unintentionally enable tacit collusion between suppliers.
    Gopinath Kathiresan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • One of the pleasures of Ruíz de Azua’s work, in film and TV, is its capacity to generate questions, as the plot builds and on a psychological and social level.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The plot sees the climbing group left reeling after a tragic accident on a mountaineering expedition.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With his back against the wall, Tony must draw on his tactical training to protect his family and survive a deadly showdown with a powerful crime syndicate.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In 1985, Tortora was accused by several alleged ex-mobsters turned informants and state witnesses of being part of a Neapolitan crime syndicate dedicated to drug trafficking.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In addition, senior executives could be held personally liable when offences involve their consent, connivance or neglect.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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