conspiracy
Covert group plan
A conspiracy is a secret plan by two or more people to do something harmful or illegal: a conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit fraud.
The word also describes the group doing the planning or the act of planning itself.
A conspiracy theory alleges that powerful hidden forces orchestrate events—often without solid evidence: conspiracy theories about the moon landing.
To conspire is to participate in such plotting, or more loosely, for circumstances to combine toward some end: Everything conspired against us.
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
connivance · subterfuge · treachery · betrayal · double-dealing · manipulation · orchestration · mastermind
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- hiddenKept out of sight
- cloak-and-daggerInvolving secret intrigue
classified · confidential · surreptitious · stealthy · hush-hush · encrypted · veiled · privy
Deliberate deception for effect
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
rumor · speculation · debunking · truther · whistleblower · leak · exposé · skeptic
Scheming political faction
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
- networkInterconnected system
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- factionGroup within group
cell · ring · Illuminati · oligarchy · junta · power-broker · kingmaker · operative
Covert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- moleSubterranean insectivore
surveillance · wiretap · bugging · interception · dead-drop · tradecraft · defector · informant
scheme
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- cabalScheming political faction
collusion · connivance · subterfuge · treachery · betrayal · double-dealing · manipulation · orchestration · mastermind · ringleader
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- hiddenKept out of sight
cloak-and-dagger · classified · confidential · surreptitious · stealthy · hush-hush · encrypted · veiled · privy · discreet
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
misinformation · rumor · speculation · debunking · truther · whistleblower · leak · exposé · skeptic · believer
cabal
Scheming political faction
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
- networkInterconnected system
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
faction · cell · ring · Illuminati · oligarchy · junta · power-broker · kingmaker · operative · handler
spy
Covert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
mole · surveillance · wiretap · bugging · interception · dead-drop · tradecraft · defector · informant · reconnaissance
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- royal courtking, queen, prince, princess, crown
conspiracytransparency
State of being see-through
openness · public disclosure · honesty · candor · forthrightness
conspiracylegislation
Official enactment of statutes
synod · council · parliament · treaty · charter
- conspiracy theoriesUnproven secret plot beliefs
- conspiracy theoryAttributed to hidden plotters
- conspiracy theoristOne who suspects cover-ups
- conspiracy chargesFormal accusations of plotting crimes
- government conspiracySecret official wrongdoing
- conspiracy of silenceUnspoken agreement to conceal
conspirator, conspiracies, conspiratorial, conspirators, co-conspirator, conspiracy theories, conspiracy theory, conspiracy theorist, conspiracy theorists