conspiracy theory
noun
plural conspiracy theories
: a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators
the conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's assassination
also
: a theory asserting that a secret of great importance is being kept from the public
… is best known for … his conspiracy theory that a secret cabal of reptilian humanoids is running the world. —
Simon Little
Simon Little … has often been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories such as "birtherism," the theory that President Obama was not born in the U.S. —Grace Segers
Grace Segers Examples of conspiracy theory in a Sentence
Conspiracy theories sprung up soon after the leader's assassination.
Recent Examples on the Web
In her speech, Michelle Obama alluded to the current president, who has long fueled a debunked conspiracy theory about Barack Obama's birthplace and continues to refer to him as Barack Hussein Obama, his middle name a suggestion of suspicion.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Georgia voting machines have been the subject of conspiracy theories, which manufacturer Dominion Voting Systems fought vigorously in court.
—ABC News, 18 June 2026
Many of the ideas the series toyed with, from conspiracy theories and internet pile-ons to rapidly evolving conversations around gender and identity, have since migrated from the fringes into everyday discourse.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Trump and Kushner's real estate offensive, opaquely managed and crowded with fixers and still faceless figures, short-circuits with geopolitical and military ones, fuels suspicions and conspiracy theories.
—Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
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Susan Page, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Georgia voting machines have been the subject of conspiracy theories, which manufacturer Dominion Voting Systems fought vigorously in court.
—ABC News, 18 June 2026
Many of the ideas the series toyed with, from conspiracy theories and internet pile-ons to rapidly evolving conversations around gender and identity, have since migrated from the fringes into everyday discourse.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Trump and Kushner's real estate offensive, opaquely managed and crowded with fixers and still faceless figures, short-circuits with geopolitical and military ones, fuels suspicions and conspiracy theories.
—Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for conspiracy theory
Cite this Entry
“Conspiracy theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspiracy%20theory. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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