colluders
Plotters working together
Colluders are people who conspire secretly with others, typically for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.
The word carries strong connotations of betrayal and underhanded dealing: The investigation revealed the colluders had been manipulating bids for years.
Unlike mere collaborators, colluders work together toward dishonest ends.
Secret joint schemers
- coconspiratorsJoint participants in conspiracy
- accomplicesPartners in crime
- plottersThose devising secret plans
- schemersCrafty plot makers
cabal · complicity · connivance · treachery · betrayal · treason · intrigue · machination
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- payoffsBenefits gained from effort
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
price-fixing · bid-rigging · fraud · embezzlement · racketeering · cartel · monopolists · profiteers
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- furtiveSecretive and sly
stealthy · hidden · secretive · cloak-and-dagger · undetected · veiled · backroom · hush-hush
Allies in wrongdoing
- partnersJoint venture participants
- associatesConnected persons or links
- cohortsGroups of accomplices
- collaboratorsPeople who work jointly
allies · affiliates · syndicate · ring · network · faction · clique · coterie
conspirators
Secret joint schemers
- coconspiratorsJoint participants in conspiracy
- accomplicesPartners in crime
- plottersThose devising secret plans
schemers · cabal · complicity · connivance · treachery · betrayal · treason · intrigue · machination · subterfuge
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
rigging · price-fixing · bid-rigging · fraud · embezzlement · racketeering · cartel · monopolists · profiteers · cronies
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
furtive · stealthy · hidden · secretive · cloak-and-dagger · undetected · veiled · backroom · hush-hush · off-the-record
confederates
Allies in wrongdoing
- partnersJoint venture participants
- associatesConnected persons or links
- cohortsGroups of accomplices
collaborators · allies · affiliates · syndicate · ring · network · faction · clique · coterie · camarilla
colluderslone wolves
Solitary, self-reliant individuals
soloists · free agents · mavericks · independents · individualists
colluderswhistleblowers
Those exposing organizational misconduct
informants · truth-tellers · exposers · honest brokers · watchdogs
colluderscompetitors
Those seeking same goal
rivals · adversaries · opponents · antagonists · combatants