Conspiracy
/kənˈspɪrəsi/
Definitions
A secret plan by a group of people to do something harmful or illegal.
/kənˈspɪrəsi/
A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
The detectives were convinced there was a conspiracy to cover up the truth.
💡 Simply: Think of a secret club where people are plotting something naughty. Maybe they're trying to get everyone to skip school, or hide the cake from their friend! If they're all in on it, that's a conspiracy.
👶 For kids: When a bunch of people make a secret plan to do something bad.
More Examples
A conspiracy was hatched to overthrow the government.
He believes in conspiracy theories about alien contact.
How It's Used
"The investigation uncovered a conspiracy to manipulate the election."
"The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud."
"Historians debate the details of the alleged Gunpowder Plot conspiracy."
Idioms & expressions
conspiracy theory
An explanation for an event based on a belief that it was the result of a secret plot by powerful people or groups.
"He dismisses the evidence as a 'conspiracy theory'."
conspire against
To secretly plot or plan against someone or something.
"The rival companies conspired against the smaller startup to drive it out of business."
From Late Latin conspiratio ("agreement, plot"), from conspirare ("to agree, conspire"), from com- ("with, together") + spirare ("to breathe").
The term 'conspiracy' has been used since the 14th century to denote secret agreements for unlawful purposes. It has been a significant legal and political term throughout history.
Memory tip
Imagine spies (spir-) COMing (com-) together to plan a secret act.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: com- (with, together) + spirare (to breathe)