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

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

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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
This despite its violent, heroic left-leaning revolutionaries and a cabal of right-wing racists with unapologetically murderous intentions. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 June 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
  • That sort of power is no surprise to Tigers faithful — Valencia has clubbed 41 home runs over his prior 787 MiLB at-bats spanning back to 2025.
    — John Laghezza, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Francisco Alvarez, meanwhile, clubbed a 401-foot solo home run — his 12th homer of the year — in the eighth inning against reliever Evan Phillips.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of club
Noun
  • Davis was charged with murder with the use of a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Although gang ties to Tupac’s killing had been suspected from the beginning, the search for the killer was long hampered by the refusal of potential eyewitnesses to testify.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of gang
Verb
  • Continue reading … ‘JUST ASTOUNDING’ – Ex-NBA player looking to enter WNBA torches league over crucial point.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For those interested in learning or perfecting their game, Crossroads Golf KC will begin to offer lessons from instructors, and leagues every Monday and Tuesday starting in the fall.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of league
Noun
  • Deputies booked the third suspect in the case, 20-year-old Liam Fairlie, with conspiracy to commit a crime and furnishing marijuana to a minor.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And if Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann, minors in election conspiracies, Thomas’s wife, Ginni, majors in it, having explicitly urged lawmakers in two states to overturn Biden’s election.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Verb
  • The pair would continue to collaborate over the years, with Orbit assisting on Madonna’s Music and MDNA.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026
  • However, working with the Sterling Point cast allowed the actor to collaborate with a host of other young people also newer to the industry.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of collaborate
Noun
  • 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
  • Informal mining is a deep problem in South Africa and is connected to criminal syndicates, according to authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of syndicate
Verb
  • The objective should be to build an ecosystem where American and allied manufacturers compete to produce the world’s best robotics, raising the bar for the entire industry rather than simply shielding it from global competitors.
    — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • After a nine-month pause, Houthi militants in Yemen allied to Iran resumed attacks on vessels in the Red Sea on July 22, 2026, directly targeting the group’s longtime foe Saudi Arabia.
    — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ally

Browse Nearby Words

cab
cabal
caballed
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Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cabal

Nglish: Translation of cabal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cabal

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