conspire

verb

con·​spire kən-ˈspī(-ə)r 

conspired; conspiring

transitive verb

: plot, contrive

intransitive verb

1

a

: to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or an act which becomes unlawful as a result of the secret agreement

accused of conspiring to overthrow the government

conspired to monopolize and restrict trade

b

: scheme

2

: to act in harmony toward a common end

Circumstances conspired to defeat his efforts.

… the sun and the wind conspired to make splinters out of solid wood.

—B. J. Oliphant

Synonyms

• collude
• compass
• connive
• contrive
• intrigue
• machinate
• plot
• put up
• scheme

Examples of conspire in a Sentence

conspired to replace the leader with someone more easily influenced

foul weather and airline foul-ups seemed to be conspiring to ruin our vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

Smith’s report would provide the fullest description yet of the investigation that led to Trump's indictments for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025

In September, a jury of a dozen Ada County residents unanimously sided with Big City Coffee owner Sarah Fendley, who argued that the administrators violated her First Amendment right to free speech while conspiring to close her campus shop near the university’s library in October 2020. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025

Trump himself was indicted on four felony counts in August 2023 for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results, including an attempt to obstruct Congress’ certification of votes on Jan. 6. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025

Hogan alleged in a lawsuit filed on Nov. 14 of last year that Ristow, Moore and Los Gatos Democracy Tent moderator Lee Fagot conspired to defame her and keep her from attending the regular meetings of the discussion group. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French conspirer, from Latin conspirare to be in harmony, conspire, from com- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

conspire

verb

con·​spire kən-ˈspī(ə)r 

conspired; conspiring

1

: to agree secretly to do an unlawful act : plot

conspiring to overthrow the dictator

2

: to act together

delays and the weather conspired to spoil our vacation

Legal Definition

conspire

intransitive verb

con·​spire kən-ˈspīr 

conspired; conspiring

: to join in a conspiracy compare solicit

Etymology

Latin conspirare to be in harmony, to join in an unlawful agreement, from com- together + spirare to breathe