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 Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026 Another leader of the conspiracy, Kewon Young, 31, of Mansfield, Ohio, has pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced early next year. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Merkourios Alexopoulos was convicted of attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and fraud by wire, radio or television and sentenced to a three-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 After returning home, Reece discovers conflicting evidence about what happened and begins uncovering a dangerous conspiracy connected to the operation. — Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 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

Missing evidence and recanted testimonies suggest that powerful men might have interfered with the investigation to hide their own complicity in the murder.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In contrast to the gorgeous monochrome visuals, this is a land that stinks of complicity and delusion — of opportunists desperate to scramble onto the right side of history.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicity

Noun

The scheme came to light after Hegarty's sister-in-law, Peggy Hegarty, was contacted by an agent from the rooming house where Hegarty had been taken.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
As part of the scheme, prosecutors allege, Heflin conspired with other companies and individuals to predetermine who would win certain business, at times submitting intentionally inflated bids to schools.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

The discovery raises the possibility of a grim outcome in the search for the four men, which has led to El Salvador deploying 450 special forces soldiers to Haiti as of Friday to aid the gang-fighting force in the search.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
One of the houses reportedly belonged to Chen Mechan, or Mad Dog, the gang accused of launching the attack on the technicians.

— Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gang

Noun

Recent seasons have also cast Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford, who do their fair share of political collusion crossed with romantic assignments.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
During the Senate hearing, Dan Meyer, a Vice President of Pierce Manufacturing, was asked about allegations of collusion among the makers of fire apparatus.

— Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of collusion

Noun

But wait, there’s more, because this election-stealing plot by immigrants certainly doesn’t stop at the state line.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
The plot centers on a former police detective serving a life sentence who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of plot

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 syndicate

Noun

There was no moon that evening, a detail, Shawn’s mother would later say, when arguing with his father about whether the man was dangerous or not, that was clearly not a coincidence, and showed careful consideration and connivance on his part.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Or was the whole thing a connivance and Mitzi Blinkhorn always destined to win, thanks to some Machiavellian manipulation behind the scenes?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of connivance

Browse Nearby Words

conspiracies

conspiracy

conspiration

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Style

“Conspiracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspiracy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of conspiracy

noun

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