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Kevin
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July 15, 2024
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Common Questions
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It’s hard to imagine a time when we didn’t use the word conspiracy in our vocabulary.
Now, it seems like everyone is suspicious of everyone else, and you hear the term conspiracy frequently. When you hear the word, you probably think of a group of people coming together to carry out some kind of illegal or harmful act. However, the word has a broader meaning and can also be used to describe any combination bringing about a given result.
If you want to know more about what the act of conspiring really means, you’ve come to the right place! To learn more about conspiracies, where the word comes from, and what conspiracies look like, check out this article.
What Is the Definition of Conspiracy?
The definition of conspiracy (kənˈspɪrəsi, con-spir-a-cy) is a plot or secret agreement by two or more persons to commit an unlawful or harmful act.
Criminal conspiracy almost always consists of a secret plan with an evil purpose that the group of conspirators or other persons will carry out. When people all get together to plot something that they will do, this act is almost always called a conspiracy.
In its most general sense, a conspiracy is the action of plotting or conspiring. A group working together to achieve a goal is considered a conspiracy.
This definition is broad enough to apply to multiple situations and groups, from political groups planning to take over a country to criminal gangs plotting against each other to groups of friends scheming who will pick up the tab at lunchtime.
As you may have guessed from this last example, while conspiracy usually refers to something sinister and often illegal, it isn’t always used in this context. Sometimes the word just means a group of people coming together with a common goal. In that case, it’s not necessarily harmful or criminal!
What Are the Synonyms of Conspiracy?
If you ever look in a thesaurus to find word lists of synonyms for the word conspiracy, you’ll likely
find words like:
- Cabal
- Machination
- Sedition
- Complot
- Stratagem
- Deception
- Ploy
- Plot
- Subterfuge
- Scheme
What Is the Etymology of the Word Conspiracy?
Conspiracy has been in regular use since the 16th century, and it is derived from two Latin words: the Latin conspirare and cōnspīrātiō. The first part of the word is more obvious: con– means together, so part of the word comfortable means with or having to do with.
The second part, –spirare, comes from a Latin word meaning breath or spirit. Other words that come from the Latin -spirare include a respirator, the device a doctor put over your nose or mouth to help you breathe.
What Are Conspiracy Theories?
Conspiracy theories are explanations for an event or situation that society does not entirely accept. Conspiracy theories often suggest that some sort of secret organization is behind a major historical or current event.
A political conspiracy is often associated with power struggles. The very nature of politics implies that certain people have more influence than others, which can lead some politicians to attempt to take power by gaining control of key positions in government or industry.
A conspiracy theory is also a term for a proposed plot by a group of people to commit an unlawful or harmful act.
The term conspiracy theory is often used to discredit any allegations of wrongdoing against powerful groups, especially if those allegations are presented as facts rather than speculation. Conspiracy theorists are often associated with fringe political views but can also be motivated by curiosity about “what really happened.”
Conspiracy theories are not always true; in fact, most of them are not true at all! People who believe in conspiracy theories are often called conspiracy theorists.
Conspiracy theorists often base their claims on statements from others who say that conspiracies exist (e.g., “[My friend] knows someone who works for [company X] and said there’s definitely a secret group plotting against us”). Still, these claims cannot be considered conclusive proof.
It’s important to remember that one person’s opinion isn’t always enough information from which to base an entire belief system.
Example Sentences Using the Word Conspiracy
If you want to really learn how to use a word, one of the best things you can do is look into some example sentences. Here are some high-quality examples that can help you to understand precisely what the word means:
All the English, Dutch, and Arabic workers got together and created a conspiracy of silence.
Mr. Spisek tried to form a conspiracy to get his boss fired, but it backfired.
There was a conspiracy to make the “word of the day” feature of the website only use words from The Bee Movie.
Ever since I started looking up conspiracy theories before bed, I haven’t been able to sleep well.
While most conspiracy theories are proven wrong, the one about the Denver airport still seems the most plausible.
Growing up, there were tons of conspiracy theories about how the president got into office.
All of my friends conspired to ensure that I had absolutely no idea about the surprise party!
Conclusion
The internet has made an impact much larger than the vast space it claims in our lives.
It’s brought many companies into a space where they can provide helpful information in a simple and easy-to-consume context. One example is the various online resources that have arisen as a result — communities that would never exist without the internet.
One such online resource is The Word Counter, which provides its readers with language analysis tools and tips on how to improve their speech and written word use.
Consider visiting in your spare time for some communication development tips! Check out our latest blog posts right here.
Sources:
Conspiracy Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
CONSPIRACY | Cambridge English Dictionary
Conspiracy – Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
