connivance

noun

con·​niv·​ance kə-ˈnī-vən(t)s 

: 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.

Synonyms

• collusion
• complicity
• conspiracy

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

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

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

Word History

Etymology

see connive

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for connivance

• contrivance

Kids Definition

connivance

noun

con·​niv·​ance kə-ˈnī-vən(t)s 

: 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 

: 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