cabal 1 of 2

Definition of cabalnext
as in Mafia
a group involved in secret or criminal activities a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cabal
Noun
Cohen knows today’s podcasting cabal owes him a debt for pioneering its booking practices; Call Her Daddy and Las Culturistas don’t get to bounce between Michelle Obama and Huda Mustafa from Love Island USA without Cohen’s tradition of loving nosiness. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 May 2026 Meanwhile, a little over two-thirds of all players were net losers, functionally transferring their funds directly to the tiny cabal of predictive gurus. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2019 Powell is drawing encouragement from the significant losses of candidates who, like Burton, are backed by the Empower Texans cabal attempting to take control of the Texas Legislature. Richard Greene, star-telegram, 24 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for cabal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal
Noun
  • The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • On the surface, the crime drama follows the rise and fall of the Black Mafia Family — one of the most influential crime families in the country.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Jurors deliberated for a week before voting to convict 48-year-old Francesca Lopez in the death of Felipe Lopez-Custodio, who was clubbed to death with a piece of scrap wood and strangled with a cord inside his apartment on Jacqueline Way in Concord.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
  • Walk stole third and then trotted home when Camden Johnson clubbed his ninth home run of the season.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Four gang members were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday for their roles in two armed robberies that resulted in the death of three people at lookout points in the Angeles National Forest and Rancho Palos Verdes in 2023.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Payton spoke unapologetically from the witness stand about his gang ties and his criminal history.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The leagued released a scheduling matrix with KU playing 18 Big 12 games.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
  • As with any reform, however, the devil is in the details, and some of those details still had fans and league insiders asking questions.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Initial crowds were eager to watch the twisty conspiracy thriller on the biggest and brightest screens, with premium large formats representing a mighty 48% of grosses.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 14 June 2026
  • In a 55-page decision, a superior court judge has dismissed significant portions of a lawsuit filed by the former Chief Human Resources Officer of Boston Water and Sewer, including all claims against the Herald, alleging she was fired as part of a wide-ranging conspiracy.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Institutions are often collaborating with other universities, cities, and organizations, a process that takes weeks or months.
    Lauren Chan, STAT, 19 June 2026
  • That makes workplace leadership more consequential because employers are among the few remaining environments where people still have to collaborate across differences.
    Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The following day, the syndicate said its Alexandria branch was closely monitoring developments surrounding the allegations at al-Shatabi Hospital.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
  • Directed by action veteran Kenji Tanigaki and produced by Bill Kong, the martial arts showcase stars Xie Miao as Wang Wei, an ordinary man who unleashes a relentless rampage against a powerful child trafficking syndicate after his daughter is kidnapped.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • The group gradually accrued more power and territory from within Tocorón Prison, and Tren de Aragua began to ally with other criminal gangs to expand its influence.
    Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • But, increasingly convinced that Mossadegh was an extremist allied with communism, the Eisenhower administration began to plot his ouster.
    Andrew Arsan, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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