connive

verb

kə-ˈnīv How to pronounce connive (audio)
Definition of connivenext
1
as in to ignore
to secretly sympathize with or pretend ignorance of something improper or unlawful the principal connived at all the school absences that were recorded on the day of the city's celebration of its Super Bowl victory

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends suspects that his coworkers are conniving to get him fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 connive According to the footage, what awaits Rhaenyra during her reign are fearful subjects, conniving enemies, sleepless nights and plenty of anguish. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 The alluring but conniving Ciara (Dove Cameron) or that sexy brooder with the best wild locks ever, Oliver (Avan Jogia)? — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026 Their rivals were a candid, impudent pair, the schoolgirlish Shakira and a throaty American bottle-service girl named Toni, both incapable of conniving their way into romance, prone to heartbreak, and swiftly ostracized for their overt judgment of other islanders. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 Produced by Guy Ritchie, MobLand stars Hardy as Harry Da Souza, the loyal fixer for the Harrigan crime family, which is led by powerful patriarch Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) and his conniving wife, Maeve (Mirren). — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for connive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connive
  1. ignore
  2. plot
  3. wink
  4. scheme
Verb
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Not only were the rules misapplied, according to an expert referee with years of elite experience, but similar plays during this tournament have been ignored.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • That will really set the tone for that day, which is just being plotted out now, to really engage in a conversation that will be open to industry pass holders, press, and public to talk about the future of independent film.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
  • Sources tell OutKick that Pitaro backed Mark Jones in 2020 when Jones falsely accused police officers of plotting to shoot him.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of plot
Verb
  • Two guys at the golf course are winking, and whispering, and tipping each other off.
    — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • The show ushered in a new era of winking, elbow-jabbing meta-musicals.
    — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of wink
Verb
  • Prosecutors detailed at least four games in which the defendants are alleged to have schemed to have Beasley manipulate individual game stats for the benefit of gamblers.
    — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • As to honest services wire fraud, it is based on Beasley allegedly scheming to defraud the Bucks and the NBA of his honest services.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of scheme

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Cite this Entry

“Connive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on connive

Nglish: Translation of connive for Spanish Speakers

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