connivance
C2Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of secretly allowing or being involved in a wrongdoing, especially by pretending not to know about it or by failing to take action to stop it.
Tacit permission or passive cooperation, often in a deceitful or illegal scheme, implying a shared, unspoken understanding between parties to ignore or facilitate something improper.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term implies a degree of shared culpability or moral complicity. It's stronger than mere negligence; it suggests a knowing, deliberate choice to look the other way, often for personal or shared benefit. Typically used with 'with' (connivance with) or 'of' (connivance of the authorities).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The related verb 'connive' is used slightly more often in American English to mean 'to conspire' (connive to do something), whereas British English more strictly retains the older sense of 'to secretly allow' (connive at something).
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotation in both varieties, associated with corruption, collusion, and moral failure.
Frequency
Low-frequency formal term in both varieties, with near-identical usage frequency in corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the/one's] connivance at [something][the] connivance of [someone/some group]connivance with [someone]with the connivance of [someone]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to turn a blind eye (informal equivalent)”
- “to wink at something (archaic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports on corporate governance failures, e.g., 'The fraud occurred with the connivance of the internal audit team.'
Academic
Common in political science, law, and history, discussing state corruption or institutional failures, e.g., 'The regime survived through the connivance of local elites.'
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Might appear in news commentary or serious discussions about scandals.
Technical
Used in legal contexts (e.g., divorce law historically, where one party connived at the other's adultery) and in anti-corruption frameworks.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The authorities were accused of conniving at the smuggling operation.
- He would not connive in their deception.
American English
- Officials connived to cover up the evidence.
- She refused to connive with them on the project.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used; 'connivingly' is possible but very infrequent) She smiled connivingly as she handed over the papers.
American English
- (Rarely used; 'connivingly' is possible but very infrequent) He acted connivingly to secure the deal.
adjective
British English
- He gave a conniving smile, knowing the plan was working.
- Her conniving nature was well-known in the office.
American English
- That was a conniving scheme to defraud investors.
- I don't trust his conniving tactics.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The corruption happened with the connivance of local police.
- They could not have succeeded without his connivance.
- The report detailed the tacit connivance of senior management in the safety violations.
- Historical analysis suggests the invasion proceeded with the connivance of neighbouring states, who stood to benefit.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CONNivance: a secret CONNection or CONNiving agreement to let something bad happen.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORRUPTION IS A SECRET PACT. IMMORALITY IS WINKING (closing one eye to not see the full truth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'попустительство' (negligent tolerance) – 'connivance' is more active and knowing. Closer to 'пособничество' (abetment) or 'тайный сговор' (secret collusion).
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'потворство', which can imply indulgence rather than secret cooperation in wrongdoing.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'connivance' to mean simple negligence without the element of secret understanding. Confusing it with 'conniving' as an adjective for a scheming person (related but not identical). Incorrect preposition: 'connivance at' (correct for the act allowed) vs. 'connivance with' (correct for the person cooperated with).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'connivance' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily illegal, but it is always morally questionable. It refers to secretly allowing or cooperating in something wrong, which could be unethical, against rules, or illegal.
'Complicity' is broader, meaning involvement in a wrongdoing. 'Connivance' is a specific type of complicity—passive, secret cooperation, often by feigning ignorance or failing to act.
No. Connivance requires a level of knowing awareness and a deliberate choice not to intervene. It is not accidental negligence.
Yes, especially in American English. The original meaning is 'to connive at' (secretly allow). A newer, now dominant meaning is 'to connive to do something' or 'connive with someone'—to conspire or scheme together secretly.