colluding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal; often used in legal, political, journalistic, and business contexts.
Quick answer
What does “colluding” mean?
Acting together secretly or conspiring to achieve a fraudulent, illegal, or deceitful purpose.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Acting together secretly or conspiring to achieve a fraudulent, illegal, or deceitful purpose.
Engaging in covert cooperation, often to the detriment of a third party, bypassing rules, or gaining unfair advantage. Can imply a shared, hidden understanding between parties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties. Often associated with corruption, price-fixing, or political scandals.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in political discourse (e.g., 'colluding with foreign powers'), but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “colluding” in a Sentence
collude with [person/organisation] (to do something)collude in [activity/process]collude against [person/organisation]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colluding” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two companies were colluding to rig the bids for government contracts.
- He denied colluding with the opposition to undermine the Prime Minister.
American English
- The executives were accused of colluding to fix gasoline prices.
- Evidence suggests they colluded in the cover-up.
adverb
British English
- They acted collusively, not competitively. (Note: 'collusively' is the adverbial form, not 'colludingly').
American English
- The bids were submitted collusively, indicating prior agreement.
adjective
British English
- The colluding parties faced severe regulatory sanctions.
- A colluding bidder was identified and disqualified.
American English
- The colluding companies agreed to a massive settlement.
- They were part of a colluding group within the industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for illegal cooperation between companies, e.g., price-fixing or market allocation. 'The two firms were fined for colluding to keep prices high.'
Academic
Used in political science, law, and economics to describe covert alliances that undermine systems. 'The study examines how elites collude to maintain power.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used when discussing perceived conspiracies or unfair teamwork. 'I think the referees were colluding to make us lose!'
Technical
A precise legal term in antitrust/competition law and criminal law for conspiracy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colluding”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colluding”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colluding”
- Using it for neutral or positive cooperation (e.g., 'The scientists colluded on the research' - INCORRECT).
- Using it without an object or clear 'with' phrase, making the conspiracy vague.
- Misspelling as 'coluding'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily always illegal in a strict criminal sense, but it is always deceitful and against the rules or ethical norms of a situation (e.g., colluding with a friend in a friendly game). In business and politics, it very often refers to illegal acts.
They are very close synonyms. 'Conspiring' is broader and can refer to planning any secret, often illegal, act. 'Colluding' specifically emphasises the cooperative, secret teamwork, often to deceive a third party or circumvent rules.
No. By definition, colluding requires at least two parties. It is an act of secret cooperation.
Yes. 'Collusion' is the noun (e.g., 'They were accused of collusion'). 'Colluding' is the present participle/gerund of the verb 'collude'.
Acting together secretly or conspiring to achieve a fraudulent, illegal, or deceitful purpose.
Colluding is usually formal; often used in legal, political, journalistic, and business contexts. in register.
Colluding: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈluːdɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈludɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In cahoots (with) - a more informal synonym.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COLLuding' as a 'COLLective' effort to 'delUDE' (trick/deceive) someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRET SOCIETY / ILLEGAL PARTNERSHIP (The action is framed as forming a hidden, exclusive club for a bad purpose).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'colluding' be LEAST appropriate?