conspirator
One who plots
A conspirator is someone involved in a conspiracy—a secret plan with others to do something harmful or illegal.
The word emphasizes active participation in plotting: The conspirators met in secret to plan the assassination.
Unlike mere accomplices, conspirators are in from the beginning, helping devise the scheme rather than just carrying it out.
One who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- quislingTreasonous occupation collaborator
- betrayerOne who breaks allegiance
subversive · insurrectionist · rebel · mutineer · dissident · revolutionary · collaborationist · renegade
Crafty, deceitful planner
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- architectBuilding design professional
- orchestratorOne who organizes complex efforts
- ringleaderChief organizer of wrongdoing
instigator · manipulator · intriguer · contriver · deviser · strategist · planner · organizer
Storyline or land parcel
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- cabalScheming political faction
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
subterfuge · gambit · stratagem · ploy · maneuver · operation · plan · design
Allied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
- partnerOne who shares activity
cohort · henchman · associate · colluder · participant · insider · operative · minion
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
shadowy · undercover · hidden · veiled · incognito · cloak-and-dagger · cryptic · mysterious
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- infiltratorOne who enters covertly
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- operativeCovert field agent
handler · contact · asset · courier · go-between · cutout · saboteur · provocateur
traitor
One who betrays allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- quislingTreasonous occupation collaborator
betrayer · subversive · insurrectionist · rebel · mutineer · dissident · revolutionary · collaborationist · renegade · apostate
schemer
Crafty, deceitful planner
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- architectBuilding design professional
- orchestratorOne who organizes complex efforts
ringleader · instigator · manipulator · intriguer · contriver · deviser · strategist · planner · organizer · coordinator
plot
Storyline or land parcel
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- cabalScheming political faction
intrigue · subterfuge · gambit · stratagem · ploy · maneuver · operation · plan · design · collusion
confederate
Allied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
partner · cohort · henchman · associate · colluder · participant · insider · operative · minion · underling
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
surreptitious · shadowy · undercover · hidden · veiled · incognito · cloak-and-dagger · cryptic · mysterious · masked
spy
Covert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- infiltratorOne who enters covertly
- informantOne who provides intelligence
operative · handler · contact · asset · courier · go-between · cutout · saboteur · provocateur · intelligence
- accomplicesaccomplice, accessory, abettor, collaborator, co-defendant
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
- ringleadersringleader, ring leader, mastermind, kingpin, mob boss
- schemersschemer, manipulator, conniver, plotter, intriguer
- criminal complicityaccomplice, accessory, aiding and abetting, complicity, aider
- collaboratorscoauthors, partner, cowriters, coworker, co-directors
conspiratorloyalist
Faithful supporter of authority
patriot · defender · faithful servant · true believer · stalwart
conspiratorhero
One admired for courage
protector · guardian · whistleblower · savior · truth-teller