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
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as in to club
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cabal
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
She became known during her run for office as a promoter of QAnon, a set of sprawling theories centered around the idea that the world is controlled by a satanic cabal of pedophiles and cannibals, and that Trump is involved in a fight against them.
—Richard Hall, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
With a story of secret cabals and a child born to rule, Dumont projects the nasty prejudices and bureaucratic rigors of local politics, the tangles of family allegiances, and the tender grunge of young lust into divine and diabolical clashes run from celestial and subterranean castles.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
She became known during her run for office as a promoter of QAnon, a set of sprawling theories centered around the idea that the world is controlled by a satanic cabal of pedophiles and cannibals, and that Trump is involved in a fight against them.
—Richard Hall, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
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
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The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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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
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Collecting vinyl, clubbing at Berghain, contemplating polyamory—this is cool.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
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Since Suárez, Joey Votto and Nick Castellanos all clubbed more than 30 home runs in 2021, the Reds haven’t had a player hit more than 25 in a single season.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As armed gangs now control up to 90% of metropolitan Port-au-Prince and parts of the Artibonite region -- areas that together represent roughly 60% of the electorate -- Washington has emphasized the need for stability and a swift path to elections rather than a prolonged transition.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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As armed gangs now control up to 90% of metropolitan Port-au-Prince and parts of the Artibonite region — areas that together represent roughly 60% of the electorate — Washington has emphasized the need for stability and a swift path to elections rather than a prolonged transition.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beyond that, his 76 OPS+ — which translates to 24% worse than league average offensive production — ranked 11th worst in MLB among all players with at least 450 plate appearances in 2025.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Was this initiative a hard sell to league officials and team owners?—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In December, the judges ruled Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracies and never wavered in his intention to destabilize the ruling Chinese Communist Party.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The indictment document is sealed, though the Associated Press reported that Lemon is facing charges related to conspiracy and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Act.—
Erin Glynn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For this most prestigious honor of the Those Who Excel awards, recipients have demonstrated a significant commitment to equity and student success, regularly collaborate to create positive school cultures and serve as lifelong learners who inspire the broader community, according to the ISBE.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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King also created 2 Broke Girls, which ran for six seasons on CBS, and collaborated with RuPaul Charles on the dramedy AJ and the Queen on Netflix.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Thirty-nine-year-old Juan Manuel Lanz, secretary general of Mahahual’s taxi syndicate, represents about 500 people.—
Natalie Leticia Gallón,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Much of it has been blamed on Baloch separatists and the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which is a separate group but allied with Afghanistan's Taliban.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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Much of it has been blamed on Baloch separatists and the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is a separate group but allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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