intriguers
Those who conspire
Intriguers are people who engage in secret schemes or plots, typically to gain advantage or undermine others.
The word suggests cunning and manipulation rather than straightforward opposition: The court was full of intriguers vying for the king's favor.
An intriguer operates through whispers, alliances, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering rather than open confrontation.
Scheming political faction
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- treasonBetraying one's nation
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- betrayalBreaking of trust
sedition · moles · spies · traitor · sabotage · provocateur · coup · junta
Crafty scheming toward goals
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
artifice · trickery · gambit · ploy · ruse · maneuver · chicanery · manipulation
Covert intelligence gathering
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- incognitoWith identity concealed
secretive · cloak-and-dagger · disguise · infiltrate · subterfuge · veiled · shadowy · furtive
Paid political persuaders
- partisansStaunch factional supporters
- diplomatsForeign government representatives
- courtiersRoyal court members
- factionGroup within group
power-brokers · backroom · kingmakers · operatives · fixers · advisors · whip · apparatchiks
cabal
Scheming political faction
betrayal · sedition · moles · spies · traitor · sabotage · provocateur · coup · junta · ringleader
machinations
Crafty scheming toward goals
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
guile · artifice · trickery · gambit · ploy · ruse · maneuver · chicanery · manipulation · conniving
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
incognito · secretive · cloak-and-dagger · disguise · infiltrate · subterfuge · veiled · shadowy · furtive · surreptitious
lobbyists
Paid political persuaders
- partisansStaunch factional supporters
- diplomatsForeign government representatives
- courtiersRoyal court members
faction · power-brokers · backroom · kingmakers · operatives · fixers · advisors · whip · apparatchiks · influencers
intriguersstraight shooters
Forthright, honest individuals
honest brokers · straight talkers · open books · truth-tellers · naifs
- political intrigueCovert governmental scheming
- court intriguePolitical scheming at royal halls
- palace intrigueScheming within ruling circles
- romantic intrigueSecret romantic maneuvering
- royal intrigueScheming within a monarchy
- courtly intriguePolitical scheming among royalty