cabal

1 of 2

noun

ca·​bal kə-ˈbäl  -ˈbal 

1

: the contrived schemes of a group of persons secretly united in a plot (as to overturn a government)

also : a group engaged in such schemes

2

: club, group

a cabal of artists

cabal

2 of 2

verb

caballed; caballing

intransitive verb

: to unite in or form a cabal

Did you know?

Cabal has been associated with a group of five ministers in the government of England's King Charles II. The initial letters of the names or titles of those men (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and Lauderdale) spelled cabal, and they have been collectively dubbed as the "Cabal Cabinet" or "Cabal Ministry." But these five names are not the source of the word cabal, which was in use decades before Charles II ascended the throne. The term traces back to cabbala, the Medieval Latin name for the Kabbalah, a traditional system of esoteric Jewish mysticism. Latin borrowed Cabbala from the Hebrew qabbālāh, meaning "received or traditional lore."

Synonyms

Noun

• conspiracy
• crew
• gang
• Mafia
• mob
• ring
• syndicate

Choose the Right Synonym for cabal

plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end.

plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Examples of cabal in a Sentence

Noun

a cabal plotting to overthrow the government

a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The same cabal denied confirmation of Julie Su, a stalwart and exceptionally effective advocate for worker rights throughout a professional career that included service as California Labor Commissioner, as successor to Biden’s first Labor secretary, Marty Walsh. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Though this is only a $100 price increase from the Nova H1 Audio Earrings, framing this condemnation under the guise of class consciousness isn’t nearly as exciting as leading with the accusation of a cabal controlling Harris through studded pearls. —Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The lawsuits generally describe their goal as the protection of free speech and open debate online, and present X as the innocent target of one cabal or another. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2024

Rumor suggests there was friction when a notorious scam artist and his cabal of armed ex-combatants showed up in Tonu almost two decades ago. —Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French cabale cabala, intrigue, cabal, from Medieval Latin cabbala cabala, from Late Hebrew qabbālāh, literally, received (lore)

First Known Use

Noun

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

cabal

noun

ca·​bal

kə-ˈbal,

-ˈbäl

: a small group of persons working together secretly (as to take over a government)