collude
Scheme in secret
To collude is to cooperate secretly for deceptive or illegal purposes.
The word implies conspiracy—working together while hiding the collaboration: The companies colluded to fix prices.
Collude often appears in legal and political contexts: evidence that the campaign colluded with foreign agents.
The noun is collusion.
Plot secretly with others
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- conniveSecretly cooperate in wrongdoing
machination · intrigue · collaboration · complicity · co-conspirator · accomplice · confederate · plotting
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
hidden · undercover · backdoor · backroom · cloak-and-dagger · underhand · underhanded · discreet
Coordinated artificial cost-setting
- bid-riggingIllegal auction coordination
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
- oligopolyFew firms dominate market
trust · syndicate · cornering · racketeering · kickback
Intentional criminal trickery
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
double-dealing · chicanery · guile · subterfuge · swindle · scam · manipulation · mislead
conspire
Plot secretly with others
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
connive · machination · intrigue · collaboration · complicity · co-conspirator · accomplice · confederate · plotting · conspiring
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
stealthy · hidden · undercover · backdoor · backroom · cloak-and-dagger · underhand · underhanded · discreet · private
price-fixing
Coordinated artificial cost-setting
- bid-riggingIllegal auction coordination
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
oligopoly · trust · syndicate · cornering · racketeering · kickback
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
duplicity · double-dealing · chicanery · guile · subterfuge · swindle · scam · manipulation · mislead · betrayal
colludedisclose
Reveal hidden information
expose · reveal · whistleblow · blow the whistle · divulge
- corporate collusionIllegal business coordination
collusion, colluding, collusive, colluder, colluded, colludes, colluders