plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.
an assassination plot
intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.
backstairs intrigue
machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.
the machinations of a party boss
conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.
a conspiracy to fix prices
cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.
a cabal among powerful senators
Example Sentences
The CIA uncovered a conspiracy against the government. They were accused of conspiracy to commit murder.
Recent Examples on the WebProsecutors charged Oath Keepers general counsel Kellye SoRelle with conspiracy, obstruction of a federal proceeding on Jan. 6, 2021, tampering with documents and misdemeanor trespassing. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon has been charged with conspiracy and money laundering in New York. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 Among the charges was conspiracy to commit bribery, money laundering, wire fraud and tax evasion. Leon Stafford, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 Holmes, 38, was found guilty in January of defrauding investors and conspiracy for her role in the Theranos’s collapse.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Simply repeating the film’s points makes one sound like some kind of conspiracy nut, and yet, the truth is outrageous — like the way Blackwater founder Erik Prince turned his attention to a new venture, Frontier Resources Group. Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Isabella Pollok, 31, pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering conspiracy in the Souther District of New York, court records show. Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Jones and Shearrill were each booked into jail on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and weapons, according to the department. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Jaynes is charged with deprivation of rights, conspiracy and falsification of records in an FBI investigation. Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English conspiracie, from Latin conspirare — see conspire