Definition of conspiracynext
1
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

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2
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

3

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 The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026 Popular culture Numerous books—fiction, nonfiction, and those closer to conspiracy—have been written about the case. Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026 Because everyone will have access to the same information, AI will accentuate the value of personal connections, again promoting lineages and networks that at their most extreme may appear to be sinister establishment conspiracies. Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 On March 24, Acosta-Reyes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, court records show. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for conspiracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy
Noun
  • The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • This kind of complicity is how cool is lost.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • The information, which Daniel was hired to protect but now wants to disclose, is footage providing conclusive evidence of the arrival of aliens on Earth, in 1947, and of a seventy-nine-year coverup, with government complicity, by a company called WARDEX, headed by Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth).
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • The Empire State Building frequently switches up its lighting scheme to commemorate special events throughout the year.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
  • The other company whose shares were manipulated in the scheme, E-Waste, had an even higher market cap at some point, despite being nothing more than a shell company.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Youssef alleged the property later became associated with gang activity, narcotics activity, prostitution and violence.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • The gang travel through France, Switzerland and Italy towards their final destination of Greece, picking up a pop group and a mysterious American singer along the way.
    Will Barker, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Special counsel Robert Mueller ended up charging 34 Russian nationals, but found no collusion between them and the president’s campaign staffers.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Players are expected to view these proposals as a legal form of collusion, reminiscent of the 1980s, signaling a potentially prolonged labor dispute.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors say the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries via the pipelines and prevent Russia from using the revenues from natural gas trading to finance its military operations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • That minimalist approach to plot has allowed the show to find its own lane.
    Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Lucky Number Slevin, a movie about mistaken identity, rival crime syndicates, and assassins, was, for some reason (Josh Hartnett), one of the comfort movies of my childhood.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 July 2026
  • The following day, the syndicate said its Alexandria branch was closely monitoring developments surrounding the allegations at al-Shatabi Hospital.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • But widespread disgust with the mayor’s mendacity and the connivance of eight City Council members is changing the political landscape.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025
  • Or secretly despise his own connivance?
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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