cabal 1 of 2

noun

kə-ˈbäl How to pronounce cabal (audio)
Definition of cabalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal 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 cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 cabal
Noun
The eight-part Spanish-language drama, inspired by real events, is set in 1980s Lima, Peru, and follows the rise of an elite law school cabal that infiltrates academia, politics, and organized crime. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026 This year’s sequel climaxes with Grace hijacking her second wedding to a Satanic heir by killing him and banishing his oligarchical cabal to hell. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
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
  1. Mafia
  2. club
  3. gang
  4. league
  5. conspiracy
  6. collaborate
  7. syndicate
  8. ally
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the Mob Museum reported, Mafia violence was also on the rise in Vegas during the 70s.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Expanding on sounds pioneered by his Memphis predecessors, such as Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, Tay Keith carved his own lane.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of Mafia
Verb
  • Then in the seventh, Chisholm clubbed a two-run home run that served as the dagger.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Four players hit a home run, including rookie Luis Lara, who clubbed his first long ball as part of a 3-for-6 evening.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of club
Noun
  • Izo 2 leads an armed group in that area on behalf of and in coordination with other gang leaders including Izo, considered one of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • It was agreed that the gang suppression force would strengthen its presence in Port-au-Prince and that Haitian forces would reinforce their deployment in Kenscoff.
    — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of gang
Verb
  • Such is a reality of a salary-cap — and in the Heat’s current case, hard-cap — league that forces choices.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … ‘JUST ASTOUNDING’ – Ex-NBA player looking to enter WNBA torches league over crucial point.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of league
Noun
  • And in a related case, former union executive Tyler Brown pleaded guilty in May 2024 to one count of racketeering conspiracy.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Stewart went to prison for five months after being found guilty on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to the sale of a stock.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Verb
  • Ramya collaborated with Lotus Bloom and her friend Sandy Gill to customize a Papa Don’t Preach lehenga.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The pair collaborated on the track for the band’s third studio album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, and last performed it together in 2020 during a live performance recorded on the rooftop of Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of collaborate
Noun
  • When he's appointed interim sheriff of a tiny Minnesota town, Ulysses Richardson intervenes in a botched bank robbery, discovering a stash of gold and heavy weapons that belong to a Yakuza crime syndicate.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
  • No, this a league run by an elite, backroom syndicate where real power-brokers hatch blockbuster moves long before any transaction window officially opens.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of syndicate
Verb
  • So, what will governments, especially those allied to the United States, actually conclude?
    — Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Its model could also connect other American and allied ore deposits with industries that currently depend heavily on foreign supply.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ally

Browse Nearby Words

cab
cabal
caballed
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cabal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cabal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All