connivery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (archaic/formal/legal)Formal, Literary, Archaic, occasionally Legal
Quick answer
What does “connivery” mean?
The act or practice of plotting or conspiring secretly, often with deceitful intent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or practice of plotting or conspiring secretly, often with deceitful intent; scheming.
In broader contexts, can refer to any complex, secret, and often underhanded arrangement or intrigue. In legal contexts, occasionally used to describe secret collusion, especially to defraud or deceive a third party.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Extremely rare in both dialects. Slightly higher historical frequency in British legal/parliamentary contexts. In modern American English, it is almost exclusively found in historical or literary works.
Connotations
UK: May carry a slight nuance of aristocratic or political intrigue. US: Stronger association with fraudulent business schemes or legal malfeasance.
Frequency
Both varieties prefer 'conspiracy', 'scheming', 'plotting', or 'machination'. 'Connivery' is a marked lexical choice suggesting a deliberate archaism or stylistic flourish.
Grammar
How to Use “connivery” in a Sentence
[Subject]'s connivery to [Infinitive]connivery between [Parties]connivery [that led to/resulted in]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “connivery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The nobles were accused of conniving to usurp the throne, their connivery documented in secret letters.
American English
- The executives connived to fix prices, and the DOJ uncovered their elaborate connivery.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare; 'connivingly' is used) They worked connivingly to achieve their goal.
American English
- (Extremely rare) He acted connivingly, setting up the complex fraud.
adjective
British English
- He had a connivery mind, always devising labyrinthine schemes.
American English
- The plot was connivery in nature, relying on layers of deception.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Would describe fraudulent backroom deals or complex corporate espionage.
Academic
Used in historical or political science texts analysing clandestine plots.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would sound archaic or pretentious.
Technical
Possible in legal contexts describing secret agreements to commit a tort or fraud.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “connivery”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “connivery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “connivery”
- Misspelling as 'conivery' or 'connivory'.
- Using it in casual speech.
- Confusing it with the more common noun 'connivance' (which implies tacit permission).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and considered archaic or highly formal. 'Conspiracy', 'plotting', or 'scheming' are standard modern alternatives.
'Connivance' usually refers to the tacit encouragement or secret permission of wrongdoing, often by pretending not to see it. 'Connivery' refers to the active, often intricate, process of scheming or conspiring itself.
Almost never. Its core meaning involves secrecy and deceit, giving it a strongly negative connotation.
The related verb is 'to connive'. 'Connivery' is the noun form describing the act or practice of conniving.
The act or practice of plotting or conspiring secretly, often with deceitful intent.
Connivery is usually formal, literary, archaic, occasionally legal in register.
Connivery: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈnʌɪv(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈnaɪvəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONNIVERY = CONNiving + secrECY. It's the practice of conniving.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNIVERY IS WEAVING A (DECEPTIVE) WEB.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'connivery' LEAST likely to be appropriately used?