as in conspiracy
a secret agreement or cooperation between two parties for an illegal or dishonest purpose
the two major auction houses acting in complicity to drive up the prices of art works
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complicity
Silence in the face of injustice implies complicity.
—
Julie Kratz, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
One was sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity; the other received a shorter sentence for complicity.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
These stories underscore the pervasiveness of indifference and complicity within Gaza, where the lines between civilians and combatants blur.
—Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Although the new government seems willing to listen to Alawite concerns, there’s a lingering resentment, with many pointing to the community’s complicity in torture and war crimes — whether in the security services or gangs of thugs known as the shabiha — over the 14 years of the conflict.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for complicity 
Julie Kratz, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
One was sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity; the other received a shorter sentence for complicity.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
These stories underscore the pervasiveness of indifference and complicity within Gaza, where the lines between civilians and combatants blur.
—Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Although the new government seems willing to listen to Alawite concerns, there’s a lingering resentment, with many pointing to the community’s complicity in torture and war crimes — whether in the security services or gangs of thugs known as the shabiha — over the 14 years of the conflict.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for complicity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicity
Noun
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As doctors tried to treat her, Kate’s parents openly discussed their suspicions that a conspiracy was forming around them – and that medical staff couldn’t be trusted.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
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Freddy Artemio Guerrero Soto, 29, a national of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As baseball commissioner, Vincent angered owners by becoming the first management official to admit the collusion among teams against free agents following the 1985, ‘86 and ’87 seasons.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
2 Feb. 2025
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Subplots involving Chief’s crush on Sarah and the setup for a potential collusion charge against the Mayor add interest, but feel like the ghostly remnants of story drafts past as both scenarios contain little payoff.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Of course, this was done with the connivance of politicians.—
Vera Bergengruen/Buenos Aires,
TIME,
23 May 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Complicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicity. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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