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 The duo and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were hit with the worst charges — felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and other related offenses. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026 Three other co-defendants, Alex Arreola, Ricardo Charles and Alexavier Victor Rodriguez, pleaded no contest in March to gang participation and gang conspiracy charges, after they were initially charged with, then cleared of, murder charges. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026 The nation became both fascinated and sickened with the case during the nine-month trial that ensued, which resulted in Manson being sentenced to death in 1971 for conspiracy to commit the grisly murders. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 Several political committees and organizations were allegedly involved in the conspiracy, according to Ruiz’s lawsuit. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 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

Organized crime operations from several cities, including Chicago, New York and Detroit, had established control of casinos up and down the Vegas Strip and devised schemes to skim percentages of the cash under the noses of state regulators.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
With Clark next to him in the 3-4 scheme, Williams flashed his strength and short-area quickness from the defensive interior each day in practice while battling against Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

In late March, a gang used a tractor to batter down a fence before two masked burglars broke into the Magnani Rocca Foundation, a private museum about 12 miles from the northern Italian city of Parma.

— Willem Marx, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
Others also said Knight was associated with the gang, including Davis and Devonta Lee, a Crip who testified before the grand jury in Davis’ case in 2023.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 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

Their large blended family will be a big plot point, as will Earle’s biological mother Alisa’s battle with breast cancer.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
On July 9, the contractors sued the city for allegedly refusing to settle a construction dispute as a plot to subject the contractors to severe financial penalties from their lenders.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 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

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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of conspiracy

noun

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