co-conspirator
Fellow plot member
A co-conspirator is someone who participates with others in a conspiracy—a secret plan to do something unlawful or harmful.
The term appears most often in legal contexts: The defendant and her co-conspirators were charged with fraud.
Unlike "accomplice," which suggests helping after the fact, co-conspirator implies involvement in the planning itself.
One who shares activity
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
henchman · associate · sidekick · comrade · cohort · ally · participant · helper
Secret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
plot · plan · maneuver · stratagem · subterfuge · ploy · cover-up · frame-up
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
surreptitious · confidential · discreet · incognito · cloak-and-dagger · hidden · veiled · hush-hush
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- double agentSpy betraying their side
- infiltratorOne who enters covertly
saboteur · turncoat · informant · defector · insurgent · fifth columnist · agent provocateur · sleeper agent
partner
One who shares activity
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
abettor · henchman · associate · sidekick · comrade · cohort · ally · participant · helper · operative
intrigue
Secret plotting or fascination
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
collusion · plot · plan · maneuver · stratagem · subterfuge · ploy · cover-up · frame-up · setup
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
furtive · surreptitious · confidential · discreet · incognito · cloak-and-dagger · hidden · veiled · hush-hush · secret
spy
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- double agentSpy betraying their side
infiltrator · saboteur · turncoat · informant · defector · insurgent · fifth columnist · agent provocateur · sleeper agent · counterspy
- Co- wordscoauthor, coexist, cooperate, coordinate, coworker
- collaboratorscoauthors, partner, cowriters, coworker, co-directors
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- accomplicesaccomplice, accessory, abettor, collaborator, co-defendant
- Nixon eraNixon, Watergate scandal, resignation, impeachment, coverup
- suspectssuspect, accused, prime suspect, person of interest, alleged
co-conspiratorvictim
One harmed by another
innocent bystander · defendant · injured party · law enforcement · prosecutor
conspiracy, conspire, conspirator, conspiring, conspiracies, conspiratorial, conspired, conspirators, conspiratorially