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

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 She was indicted on two charges in March 2021, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 The two were charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the release said. — Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026 Other charges such as trespassing, conspiracy, theft and charges tied to fire risk can be added to cases of vandalism, according to the Law Office of Sheny Gutierrez. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The tribunal found that Mladic, together with late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic, were part of a criminal conspiracy to implement the plan. — Ivana Sekularac, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conspiracy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracy

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

Noun

Arthur Miller’s enduring impact rivals Shakespeare’s, with a consistently socially conscious body of work that challenged power structures and society’s complicity during his time and still reaches modern audiences with the horrors of today.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
But the protocol was aimed at individuals accused of financial crimes or complicity with criminal or terrorist groups in Haiti.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of complicity

Noun

McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
While Simmons’ offensive scheme helped unlock FIU’s ground game last season, quarterbacks Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky combined for 13 interceptions.

— Alejandro Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scheme

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

Noun

But like in other pro sports, a team not wanting to sign a player isn’t proof of collusion.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The vaults sit behind a $100 million insurance facility from Lloyd's of London, arranged in 2025 to cover risks including internal collusion, according to the company.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of collusion

Noun

He is accused of orchestrating the plot to fly hijacked passenger jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon.

— Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Part of the deal hinges on a future road connection that could make use of the plot immediately behind the house.

— Noah Daly August 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plot

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

Noun

Moments of great power are interspersed with long expository stretches of clangor and connivance.

— Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
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

Definition of connivance

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conspiracies

conspiracy

conspiration

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Style

“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of conspiracy

noun

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