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
Most recently, podcaster Joe Oltmann, who repeatedly has spread false election-rigging conspiracies and called for the execution of political rivals, joined the primary race.
—
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the regime spins the attack as proof of foreign conspiracy, rallying whatever remains of its base while tightening the noose on dissent.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Soon, Jonathan is on the trail of a conspiracy in Colombia, where the British government appears to be involved in an arms deal with Teddy.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Thus Ross, as a target of a dangerous conspiracy, had merely been operating in self-defense.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conspiracy
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, the regime spins the attack as proof of foreign conspiracy, rallying whatever remains of its base while tightening the noose on dissent.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Soon, Jonathan is on the trail of a conspiracy in Colombia, where the British government appears to be involved in an arms deal with Teddy.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Thus Ross, as a target of a dangerous conspiracy, had merely been operating in self-defense.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 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
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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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By the mid-level bureaucrat who finally decides the cost of complicity is too high.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
11 Jan. 2026
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Veiel, conducting a forensic examination of Riefenstahl’s archives and other sources, picks apart the myth the filmmaker propagated after World War II that absolved herself of any complicity in Nazi atrocities.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Sammis runs a pro-style scheme that prioritizes a strong run game and being efficient with the passing attack.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
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Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff, pleaded not guilty in November in a scheme to enrich her friend Sean McCluskie, a longtime deputy to former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, using money funneled from one of Becerra’s dormant campaign accounts.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The teen was playing basketball at the park when he was approached by a group of young adults, who asked the teen if he was affiliated with a gang and tried to start a fight, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Homeland Security officials said the pair attempted to run over immigration officers with their car and say both are involved with gang Tren de Aragua.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Among the issues raised in the petition are allegations of juror misconduct, collusion between victims' attorneys and the government, and violations of due process rights.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
18 Dec. 2025
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Once enacted, the legislation will require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress over the next five years a detailed assessment of the scale and nature of criminal collusion in Haiti.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The two plots of land up for rezoning are near Anglin Circle and Enon Avenue.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
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People are also pointing out a few plot points that aren’t resolved.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Outside the capital, guerrilla groups and organized crime syndicates are exploiting the power vacuum along Venezuela’s borders and in its resource-rich interior.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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The four-count indictment alleges that Maduro played a pivotal role in the Venezuelan drug-trafficking syndicate known as the Cartel de los Soles, aka Cartel of the Suns.—
Jay Weaver
January 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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With the connivance of Congress, President Trump has been stealing congressional power about taxing, spending and the use of military force to punish his enemies at universities, to extort foreign governments and to kill people on the high seas with impunity.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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