colluding
Plotting together covertly
Colluding is cooperating secretly for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.
The word implies conspiracy—working together while hiding the collaboration from those who would object: The companies were colluding to fix prices.
Unlike legitimate cooperation, colluding carries inherent disapproval, suggesting the parties are cheating someone or subverting fair dealing.
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- cabalScheming political faction
- conniveSecretly cooperate in wrongdoing
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
complicity · machination · scheming · confederacy · pact · cahoots · tacit · understanding
Deliberately deceptive in nature
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
guileful · crafty · sly · two-faced · double-dealing · dissembling · artifice · subterfuge
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- bid-riggingIllegal auction coordination
- price-fixingCoordinated artificial cost-setting
racketeering · embezzlement · fraud · graft · payoffs · cronyism · favoritism
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
- furtiveSecretive and sly
surreptitious · stealthy · undercover · hidden · veiled · cloak-and-dagger · confidential · discreet
Breaking of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
- treasonBetraying one's nation
sedition · subversion · defection · disloyalty · sellout · traitor · turncoat · informant
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
intrigue · complicity · machination · scheming · confederacy · pact · cahoots · tacit · understanding · agreement
duplicitous
Deliberately deceptive in nature
- fraudulentInvolving intentional dishonesty
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
deceitful · guileful · crafty · sly · two-faced · double-dealing · dissembling · artifice · subterfuge · trickery
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- bid-riggingIllegal auction coordination
price-fixing · racketeering · embezzlement · fraud · graft · payoffs · cronyism · favoritism
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
furtive · surreptitious · stealthy · undercover · hidden · veiled · cloak-and-dagger · confidential · discreet · private
betrayal
Breaking of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- perfidyDeliberate breach of trust
treason · sedition · subversion · defection · disloyalty · sellout · traitor · turncoat · informant · mole
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- gambling tacticsbasic strategy, card counting, betting strategy, betting systems, running count
colludingacting in good faith
going it alone · disclosing · whistleblowing · exposing · working in isolation
colludingcompeting
Contending for victory
opposing · rivaling · contending · conflicting · fighting
collusion, collude, collusive, colluder, colluded, colludes, colluders