Thesaurus results for CONSPIRACY

Q: How does the noun 'conspiracy' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conspiracy are cabal , intrigue , machination , and plot . While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. // a conspiracy to fix prices

Q: When would 'cabal' be a good substitute for 'conspiracy'?

The synonyms cabal and conspiracy are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. // a cabal among powerful senators

Q: When might 'intrigue' be a better fit than 'conspiracy'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'machination' take the place of 'conspiracy'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'plot' instead of 'conspiracy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to conspiracy , plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. // an assassination plot

conspiracy

noun

kən-ˈspir-ə-sē

Definition of conspiracy next

as in Mafia

a group involved in secret or criminal activities members of the conspiracy recognized each other by a secret handshake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in complicity

a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose a conspiracy among the leading manufacturers to fix prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in scheme

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends several generals were engaged in a conspiracy to overthrow the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun conspiracy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conspiracy are cabal, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When would cabal be a good substitute for conspiracy?

The synonyms cabal and conspiracy are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

When might intrigue be a better fit than conspiracy?

While the synonyms intrigue and conspiracy 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 conspiracy?

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

the machinations of a party boss

When is it sensible to use plot instead of conspiracy?

While in some cases nearly identical to conspiracy, plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Examples 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 conspiracy Ivana Saric Nov 1, 2024 - Politics & Policy GOP secretaries of state swat down election conspiracies while Trump sows doubts Republican secretaries of state in crucial battleground states are combating baseless conspiracies to undermine the integrity of the 2024 election. —

Sophia Cai, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 According to the Associated Press, Justin Johnson was handed an additional 35 years behind bars last week for conspiracy to commit murder and being a felon in possession of a gun, both related to the shooting. —

Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Vijay Balasubramanian, University of Pennsylvania The conspiracy continued. —

Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024 Maybe there really was a conspiracy to kill J.F.K., and Jeffrey Epstein, too. —

Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conspiracy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy

Noun

Later, at a listening party in 2019, Ken was with 808 Mafia’s Southside when Carti emerged from the shadows—the night ended with Ken and Carti in the studio together, bonding over clothes.

Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
The latter album, comprising new recordings of material associated with Jones, included appearances by such diverse artists as Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean and Three 6 Mafia.

Chris Morris, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024