connivance

noun

con·​niv·​ance kə-ˈnī-vən(t)s How to pronounce connivance (audio)
: the act of conniving
especially : knowledge of and active or passive consent to wrongdoing
He stole millions of dollars with the connivance of his partner.

Examples of connivance in a Sentence

was able to sneak out at night with the connivance of a camp counselor
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Of course, this was done with the connivance of politicians. Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024 Michael Hiltzik: How the GOP — with Democratic Party connivance — has undermined a crucial effort to avert the next pandemic. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024 With the connivance of federal judges who wish to keep their dockets pared down, big corporations force aggrieved consumers and workers into arbitration, where the latter are at a disadvantage. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023 But the one commonality is the halo of protection or connivance or collaboration around these characters. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for connivance 

Word History

Etymology

see connive

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of connivance was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near connivance

Cite this Entry

“Connivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/connivance. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

connivance

noun
con·​niv·​ance kə-ˈnī-vən(t)s How to pronounce connivance (audio)
: the act of conniving
especially : knowledge that something wrong is going on without trying to stop it

Legal Definition

connivance

noun
con·​ni·​vance kə-ˈnī-vəns How to pronounce connivance (audio)
: the act of conniving especially with regard to a spouse's marital misconduct (as adultery)
also : a defense to a charge of marital misconduct in a divorce proceeding compare condonation

More from Merriam-Webster on connivance

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!