conspiracy

A secret agreement between people to do something wrong or illegal.

• They uncovered a conspiracy against the king.
• Several officials were involved in the conspiracy.
• She discovered a conspiracy to steal the election.

How to use it: a conspiracy to do something (Police uncovered a conspiracy to attack the minister.); a conspiracy against someone/something (The king suspected a conspiracy against him.)

Similar words: plot, scheme

Common phrases: a conspiracy against, uncover a conspiracy, join a conspiracy

An agreement between two or more people to commit a crime.

• He denied the conspiracy charge.
• They were convicted of conspiracy to murder.
• The prosecution must prove that a conspiracy existed.

How to use it: conspiracy to do something (He was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.); conspiracy with someone (The court found evidence of conspiracy with two other defendants.)

Similar words: criminal agreement

Common phrases: conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to defraud, charged with conspiracy

A group of ravens together.

• A conspiracy of ravens flew overhead.
• We watched a conspiracy of ravens in the field.
• The conspiracy scattered when the dog approached.

How to use it: a conspiracy of ravens (A conspiracy of ravens gathered near the old tower.)

Similar words: flock

Common phrases: conspiracy of ravens, a raven conspiracy

Different language rules produce the same or closely related result.

• These rules form a conspiracy.
• The phonological conspiracy produces similar sounds.
• Several vowel changes participate in this conspiracy.

Common phrases: phonological conspiracy, grammatical conspiracy