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

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 conspiracy Years of investigations culminated in a nearly four-month trial, in which a jury found Holmes guilty of defrauding investors and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. —

Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025 Trinity Shockley, 18, was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder, intimidation and conspiracy to commit intimidation. —

Mark Guarino, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025 And similar to their counterparts on the Western hard right, Yoon’s most fervent followers cultivate an online culture that promotes conspiracies and accuses the left of succumbing to communist manipulation. —

Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025 There’s no real evidence of a Chiefs conspiracy to speak of. —

Sean Gregory, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for conspiracy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy

Noun

The racing team is building its brand portfolio by also teaming with Built for Athletes, Pedal Mafia, Abercrombie & Fitch, SunGod, Coachbuilt Whisky, HalfScale Cars and Lego.

— Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
The last 12 months have been full of firsts for the De la Rosa brothers, better known as the musical trio Latin Mafia.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025