collusion

Underhanded joint plotting

Collusion is secret cooperation between parties for a deceptive or fraudulent purpose.

The word implies wrongdoing—you don't collude to plan a surprise party.

Legal contexts often involve collusion to fix prices, rig bids, or manipulate markets.

Political collusion suggests covert coordination with foreign powers or adversaries: The investigation found no evidence of collusion with Russia.

conspiracy

plot

Storyline or land parcel

cabalScheming political faction
intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
connivanceWillful blindness to wrongdoing

complicity · machination · scheme · cover-up · secret agreement · backroom deal · hidden agenda · double-dealing · betrayal · treachery

fraud

price-fixing

Coordinated artificial cost-setting

bid-riggingIllegal auction coordination
market manipulationArtificially distorting asset prices
insider tradingIllegal securities transactions using nonpublic information

embezzlement · kickback · bribery · corruption · racketeering · money laundering · antitrust violation · cartel · monopoly · trust

secrecy

clandestine

Concealed from authorities

covertIntentionally concealed
underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
furtiveSecretive and sly

surreptitious · stealth · cloak-and-dagger · undercover · hidden · veiled · confidential · undisclosed · hush-hush · behind closed doors

political

election rigging

Fraudulent outcome manipulation

vote manipulationFraudulent alteration of electoral outcomes
foreign interferenceOutsiders manipulating domestic matters
seditionInciting revolt against government

treason · espionage · regime · coup · cover-up · obstruction · scandal · Watergate · deep state · cronyism

Categories

ethics violationsbribery, bribes, kickbacks, kickback, nepotism
financial fraudsecurities fraud, bank fraud, accounting fraud, defalcation, embezzler
political crimestreason, sedition, insurrection, coup d'etat, political corruption
political scandalsWatergate, Iran-Contra, Whitewater, Teapot Dome, coverup
political tacticscampaigning, gerrymandering, filibuster, campaigns, voter suppression
scandalsscandal, controversy, coverup, cover-up, disgrace

Opposites

secrecy and deception

collusiontransparency

State of being see-through

honesty · openness · candor · forthrightness · disclosure

cooperation type

collusioncompetition

Struggle for supremacy

rivalry · opposition · conflict · antagonism · independence

ethical character

collusionintegrity

Moral soundness and consistency

probity · rectitude · incorruptibility · fair dealing · ethical conduct

Phrases

corporate collusionIllegal business coordination

Family

collusive, collusions

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG