collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose

acting in collusion with the enemy

collusive

kə-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

collusively adverb

Synonyms

• complicity
• connivance
• conspiracy

Examples of collusion in a Sentence

The company was acting in collusion with manufacturers to inflate prices.

there was collusion between the two companies to fix prices

Recent Examples on the Web

His arrest came as part of an effort to cut down espionage, sabotage and collusion in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024

Jones alleges fraud and collusion marred the bankruptcy auction that resulted in The Onion being named the winning bidder over a company affiliated with him. —Dave Collins, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2024

Jones alleges fraud and collusion in the bankruptcy auction in which The Onion was the winning bid. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

With a little luck and foreign collusion, Vanderbilt may end up playing SMU in the first round of the playoffs. —David Whitley, The Tennessean, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin collusion-, collusio, from colludere — see collude

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: secret agreement or cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose

collusive

-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

Legal Definition

collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: the act or an instance of colluding

collusive

-siv 

adjective