Definition of: conspiracy

(kən·spir′ə·sē) noun plural ·cies
1. An agreement between two or more persons to do an evil act in concert; a plot; secret combination of men for an evil purpose.
2. Law A combination of two or more persons to commit any act punishable by law.
3. Any striking concurrence of persons, classes, or agencies.
—con·spir·a·tor (kən·spir′ə·tər) noun
—con·spir·a·to·ri·al (kən·spir′ə·tôr′ē·əl, -tō′rē-) adjective
—con·spir′a·tress noun fem. Synonyms: cabal, combination, conclave, crew, faction, gang. A conspiracy is a combination of persons for an evil purpose, or the act of so combining. A faction is more extensive than a conspiracy, less formal in organization, less definite in plan. Faction and its adjective, factious, have always an unfavorable sense. Cabal commonly denotes a conspiracy of leaders. A gang is a company of workmen all doing the same work under one leader; the word is used figuratively only of combinations which it is meant to stigmatize as rude and mercenary; crew is used in a closely similar sense. A conclave is secret, but of larger numbers, ordinarily, than a cabal, and may have honorable use; as, the conclave of cardinals. See CABAL.