Conspiracy Meaning
/kənˈspɪɹəsi/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn agreement or arrangement between multiple parties to do something harmful, immoral or subversive; an instance of collusion.
nounAn agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future.
Sentence Examples
Without a moment's hesitation, they took drastic action against the conspiracy.
To be frank, I think this 'conspiracy theory' is nonsense.
A conspiracy to overthrow the government
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The secret plan to overthrow the government was called the ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The documentary explores a popular online ____ theory claiming the moon landing was totally faked.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English conspiracie, from Anglo-Norman conspiracie, from Latin cōnspīrātiō, from conspire + -acy.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Conspiracies, like all other exercises of human ingenuity, are of very different kinds. The gloomy plots arranged in old Italian halls..."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IV, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 23:
"And you may have noticed that those who are too quick to shout 'conspiracy theorist' are equally swift, when consequences for authority and consensus impend, to look serious and say 'It's more complicated than that.' These have become standard damage-control reflexes."
— 1993, Christopher Hitchens, For the Sake of Argument:
"Modern political religions may reject Christianity, but they cannot do without demonology. The Jacobins, the Bolsheviks and the Nazis all believed in vast conspiracies against them, as do radical Islamists today. It is never the flaws of human nature that stand in the way of Utopia. It is the workings of evil forces."
— 2007, John Gray, Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia:
"The former programme of the entertainments, which were to result from this generous conspiracy to assist a man whom fortune had buffeted, was eagerly looked for, not only for the reunion of old favorites that it promised to bring about, but out of sympathy for the sentiment which has prompted this graceful act of kindness."
— 1863 May 30, “Lord Dudley and Mr. Lumley”, in The Musical World, volume 41, number 22, page 339:
"On another occasion, some months later, when Currita's birthday, the 10th of October, and feast of St. Francis Borgia, was approaching, the two children were plotting together a conspiracy to give their mother a surprise."
— 1900, Luis Coloma, Currita, Countess of Albornoz, page 245:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The secret plan to overthrow the government was called the ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The documentary explores a popular online ____ theory claiming the moon landing was totally faked.