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View synonyms for

conspiracy

[ kuhn-spir-uh-see ]

noun

plural conspiracies.
  1. the act of conspiring.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. an unlawful, harmful, or evil plan formulated in secret by two or more persons; plot.
  3. a combination of persons for such an unlawful, harmful, or evil purpose:

    He joined the conspiracy to overthrow the government.

  4. Law. an agreement by two or more persons to commit a crime, fraud, or other wrongful act.
  5. any concurrence in action; combination in bringing about a given result.


conspiracy

/ kənˈspɪrəsɪ; kənˌspɪrəˈtɔːrɪəl /

noun

  1. a secret plan or agreement to carry out an illegal or harmful act, esp with political motivation; plot
  2. the act of making such plans in secret
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • Dzˌ辱ˈٴǰ, adverb
  • Dzˈ辱ٴǰ, noun
  • conspiratorial, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • Dz·辱··پ adjective
  • Dz·辱··ٴ·· [k, uh, n-spir-, uh, -, tawr, -ee-, uh, l], Dz·辱··ٴ· adjective
  • ·Dz·辱·· noun plural preconspiracies
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Word History and Origins

Origin of conspiracy1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English conspiracie, probably from Anglo-French; conspire, -acy; replacing Middle English conspiracioun; conspiration
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Synonym Study

Conspiracy, plot, intrigue, cabal all refer to surreptitious or covert schemes to accomplish some end, most often an evil one. A conspiracy usually involves a group entering into a secret agreement to achieve some illicit or harmful objective: a vicious conspiracy to control prices. A plot is a carefully planned secret scheme, usually by a small number of persons, to secure sinister ends: a plot to seize control of a company. An intrigue usually involves duplicity and deceit aimed at achieving either personal advantage or criminal or treasonous objectives: the petty intrigues of civil servants. Cabal refers either to a plan by a small group of highly-placed persons to overthrow or control a government, or to the group of persons themselves: a cabal of powerful lawmakers.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The court heard the head of the conspiracy was a man who had since died, with the seven defendants having differing roles in the gang.

From

"I have no interest in defending Mr. Kennedy, whose shaky science and conspiracy theories will do nothing to benefit those with autism and their families," Ms May said.

From

Following a trial at the Old Bailey brothers Louis Ahearne, 36, and Stewart Ahearne, 46, along with Daniel Kelly, 46, were each found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

From

And that opened up another legal route for the authorities: the charge of conspiracy to intentionally cause public nuisance.

From

It also referenced "the Great Replacement", a conspiracy theory that elites are seeking to replace the populations of western nations with immigrants.

From

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Related Words

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More About Conspiracy

doesconspiracy mean?

Conspiracy most commonly means a secret plan by multiple people to do something evil or illegal.

Conspiracy can also refer to the act of making such plans—the act of conspiring—or to the group making the plans. The people involved can be called conspirators.

In a legal context, conspiracy refers to an agreement by two or more people to commit a crime.

A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event that claims it was the result of a secret and often complex and evil plot by multiple people. People who promote or formulate conspiracy theories often reject the standard or accepted explanation of unexplained or unusual events and claim that they are the doing of evil conspirators secretly conspiring behind the scenes.

Both conspiracy and conspiracy theory are often used in the context of politics.

Example: This isn’t the work of one man—it’s a conspiracy, and there are more people in on it than you think!

Where doesconspiracy come from?

The first records of the word conspiracy come from the 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb DzԲī, meaning “to act in harmony” or “to conspire.” It comes from the combination of con-, meaning “together,” and ī, “to breathe.” The suffix -acy indicates a state of action—the state or act of conspiring.

When people hear the word conspiracy, they often think of shady people making shady plans in shady backrooms. The word typically implies both secrecy and evil—people involved in conspiracies are up to no good and they’re trying to hide it. The word is especially associated with bizarre conspiracy theories, but some conspiracies are very real. When people plan to commit a crime together, it’s a criminal conspiracy.

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms related to conspiracy?

  • conspire (verb)
  • conspirator (noun)
  • conspiratorial (adjective)
  • conspirative (adjective)
  • conspiratory (adjective)
  • conspiratorially (adverb)

are some synonyms for conspiracy?

are some words that share a root or word element with conspiracy?

are some words that often get used in discussing conspiracy?

How isconspiracy used in real life?

Conspiracy is always used negatively. It’s commonly used in the term conspiracy theory.

Try usingconspiracy!

Is conspiracy used correctly in the following sentence?

The conspiracy consisted of several top-ranking officials.

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conspiracistconspiracy of silence