conspiracies

noun

plural of conspiracy
1
as in Mafias
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 complicities
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
as in schemes
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends several generals were engaged in a conspiracy to overthrow the government

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 conspiracies Local elections officials would also have to verify voters’ citizenship using government data and publish reports, which critics say bolsters conspiracies about voter integrity and undermines confidence in elections. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 What always entertains me so much about those types of conspiracies is that reality is just as crazy. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 But in recent years, Brand has publicly pivoted to an influencer and podcaster focused on spirituality and heavily leaning toward anti-government conspiracies. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026 Orphaned, the children are taken in by their irreverent aunt Berta, and begin a new life in the big city in a house frequented by intellectuals and where all kinds of political conspiracies are hatched. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors describe the drug trafficking and torture conspiracies as interconnected, asserting that proceeds from corruption and narcotics trafficking helped Maduro and Flores maintain the loyalty of officials who enforced their rule. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 That’s largely because of greater politicization around the election process — and who is in charge of it — in an era of conspiracies and disinformation. — Robert Tann, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 In an interview with Elle, Reinhart addressed fan conspiracies about Bateman’s casting. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026 As the longtime partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present conspiracies, Chris’ newfound bond with a pair of students (Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas) threatens to send everyone’s trip sideways. — Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspiracies
  1. gangs
  2. complicities
  3. schemes
  4. networks
  5. intrigues
  6. plots
  7. syndicates
  8. cabals
Noun
  • Three planeloads of soldiers from El Salvador landed in Haiti on Friday, days after the Central American nation’s president angrily threatened Haitian gangs that ambushed a group of Salvadoran soldiers over the past weekend who remain missing.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Sentenced to life in prison, Buchanan maintained a grip over gangs in the South Bay area of San Diego, according to an FBI report of an informant’s interview.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of gangs
Noun
  • In a culture that refuses to accept its responsibilities, its complicities, we are all reduced, in some essential measure, to a state of savagery.
    — David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicities
Noun
  • The prevalence of money laundering schemes is an indication to Hall that more regulations are needed to address retail theft.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Bill Essayli traded barbs at dueling healthcare fraud news conferences in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, sniping at each other over billions lost to benefits schemes and the increasingly politicized efforts to stop them.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • The Sun enters your 11th House, beginning a month focused on friends, communities, collaborations, networks, and your longer-term hopes.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • An analysis published by NYU’s Journal of Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law examines how younger consumers embrace dupe culture and share affordable alternatives openly with their networks.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of networks
Noun
  • However, work stalled at the 60th floor and was paused for several years, with multiple reports naming palace intrigues and purges by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the cause for the delay.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The series has always moved at a deliberate pace, allowing the characters’ social battles and romantic intrigues to simmer.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of intrigues
Noun
  • Beneath the spy plots, then, is a fond portrait of a group of people held in perpetual disgrace for their shortcomings, and thus forced to find individual paths to redemption.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Montanez noted that the case appears to be unusual because mass shooting plots are most often conceived and carried out by male suspects.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of plots
Noun
  • Visages closed its doors in 2000 amid the shift to digital, industry consolidation and competition from major syndicates including Getty Images and Corbis.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While some more nefarious syndicates might hold your steering or brakes for ransom, a far more common target is your private information.
    — Mike McRae October 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of syndicates
Noun
  • Increasingly, his mind was preoccupied with extremist views and conspiracy theories, including secret government cabals and false-flag operations.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
  • Thomas Pynchon’s latest novel, Shadow Ticket, set in 1932 Milwaukee, takes place in a landscape of industrial ghosts, strike-breakers, fascist sympathizers and absurdist cabals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of cabals

Browse Nearby Words

conspicuously
conspiracies
conspiracy
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Cite this Entry

“Conspiracies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracies. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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