conspiration: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 / C2 (Very Rare in Modern Usage)Formal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “conspiration” mean?
A secret agreement between people to do something unlawful or harmful.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A secret agreement between people to do something unlawful or harmful; a plot.
Rarely used as a near-synonym for 'conspiracy'. Historically, it can also refer to the act of breathing together, but this usage is obsolete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference, as the word is virtually obsolete in both varieties. Extremely rare occurrences might be found more often in British historical/literary contexts.
Connotations
If used, it connotes archaism, formality, or a deliberate literary/historical reference.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. 'Conspiracy' is used at a frequency thousands of times greater.
Grammar
How to Use “conspiration” in a Sentence
[to be] part of a conspiration [against X]a conspiration [to + infinitive]a conspiration [among/between Y]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conspiration” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were accused of conspiring to overthrow the government.
American English
- He conspired with others to commit fraud.
adverb
British English
- They nodded at each other conspiratorially.
American English
- He whispered conspiratorially about the plan.
adjective
British English
- He faced conspiratorial charges.
American English
- She gave him a conspiratorial wink.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical or literary studies discussing older texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conspiration”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conspiration”
- Using 'conspiration' in modern speech or writing where 'conspiracy' is intended.
- Pronouncing it /kənˈspaɪəreɪʃən/ (incorrect stress).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic. It is listed in major historical dictionaries like the OED but is virtually never used in modern English, where 'conspiracy' is the standard term.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Conspiration' is an older, now largely obsolete form of the noun 'conspiracy'.
Almost certainly not. Unless you are directly quoting a historical source or writing a stylistic piece that requires an archaic flavour, you should always use 'conspiracy'.
It is a noun. The related verb is 'conspire', the adjective is 'conspiratorial', and the adverb is 'conspiratorially'.
A secret agreement between people to do something unlawful or harmful.
Conspiration is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Conspiration: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒnspɪˈreɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːnspəˈreɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CONSPIRATION' as the older, more formal cousin of 'CONSPIRACY'. Both share the core 'CONSPIRE-' root.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRECY IS DARKNESS (a conspiration is hatched in the shadows).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard, modern English word for a secret plan to do something unlawful?