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Some common synonyms of cabal<\/em> are conspiracy<\/em><\/a>, intrigue<\/em><\/a>, machination<\/em><\/a>, and plot<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end,\" cabal<\/em> typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.<\/p>

\/\/ a cabal<\/em> among powerful senators<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'conspiracy' be a reasonable alternative to 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal<\/em>, conspiracy<\/em><\/a> implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.<\/p>

\/\/ a conspiracy<\/em> to fix prices<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'intrigue' be used to replace 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms intrigue<\/em><\/a> and cabal<\/em> are close in meaning, intrigue<\/em> suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.<\/p>

\/\/ backstairs intrigue<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'machination' take the place of 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words machination<\/em><\/a> and cabal<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, machination<\/em> implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.<\/p>

\/\/ the machinations<\/em> of a party boss<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'plot' a more appropriate choice than 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms plot<\/em><\/a> and cabal<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but plot<\/em> implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.<\/p>

\/\/ an assassination plot<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'cabal' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of cabal<\/em> are conspiracy<\/em><\/a>, intrigue<\/em><\/a>, machination<\/em><\/a>, and plot<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end,\" cabal<\/em> typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.<\/p>

\/\/ a cabal<\/em> among powerful senators<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'conspiracy' be a reasonable alternative to 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal<\/em>, conspiracy<\/em><\/a> implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.<\/p>

\/\/ a conspiracy<\/em> to fix prices<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'intrigue' be used to replace 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms intrigue<\/em><\/a> and cabal<\/em> are close in meaning, intrigue<\/em> suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.<\/p>

\/\/ backstairs intrigue<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'machination' take the place of 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words machination<\/em><\/a> and cabal<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, machination<\/em> implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.<\/p>

\/\/ the machinations<\/em> of a party boss<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'plot' a more appropriate choice than 'cabal'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms plot<\/em><\/a> and cabal<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but plot<\/em> implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.<\/p>

\/\/ an assassination plot<\/em><\/p>" } } ] }

cabal 1 of 2

noun

kÉ™-ˈbäl How to pronounce cabal (audio)
Definition of cabalnext
as in Mafia
a group involved in secret or criminal activities a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cabal
Noun
That small cabal of handlers pulling the strings and feeding his ego, lust for revenge and greed are the real culprits who must be held accountable. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026 An evil global cabal, an ineffectual justice system, the exercise of unchecked power by untrustworthy experts—these are familiar themes. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. —Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2019 Powell is drawing encouragement from the significant losses of candidates who, like Burton, are backed by the Empower Texans cabal attempting to take control of the Texas Legislature. —Richard Greene, star-telegram, 24 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for cabal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal
  1. Mafia
  2. club
  3. gang
  4. league
  5. conspiracy
  6. collaborate
  7. syndicate
  8. ally
Noun
  • The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • On the surface, the crime drama follows the rise and fall of the Black Mafia Family — one of the most influential crime families in the country.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Definition of Mafia
Verb
  • This speaks of change still to come and the compelling thought that a tight relationship between the three most senior figures could — and should — make the team better and club richer.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Tibbs clubbed 28 home runs in his junior year at Florida State, powering the Seminoles to their first College World Series trip since 2019.
    — Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of club
Noun
  • As gangs continue to expand and consolidate territorial control, journalists remain in growing danger, according to the commission and other press freedom groups.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Growing up in Hollywood and Hyde Park, among other parts of the city, Mazariegos was intimately familiar with gun and gang violence.
    — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of gang
Verb
  • Could league face legal action?
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Laguna Hills finished as the CIF-SS Division 7 runner-up to league rival Kennedy.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of league
Noun
  • Austin Lynch, 18, was arraigned Friday for conspiracy in the fourth degree, the Suffolk County district attorney said.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The anti-graft agency also arrested 23 people on suspicion of offenses such as bribery and conspiracy to defraud.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Verb
  • Looking back at the Chelsea win offers multiple reminders of how well the strikers collaborated with the rest of the team that night.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Before her Saturn return, she’s already collaborated with all of those icons, turning in newly definitive performances in their work.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of collaborate
Noun
  • Caleb Davies, another Kalshi trader who has earned $389,000 in culture markets over the past two years, says that the absence of financial organizations or syndicates of traders with big money allows knowledgeable traders to profit off of people who simply bet on their faves.
    — David Hill, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The four-hour epic by by Aditya Dahr is the sequel to Dhurandhar ($20 million in North American) and stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover Indian intelligence agent working to infiltrate Pakistani politics and Karachi’s criminal syndicates.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of syndicate
Verb
  • Nice, France's fifth largest city on the French Riviera, becomes the most resounding win of the far right Sunday with the victory of Eric Ciotti, a former conservative who allied with the National Rally of Marine Le Pen.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
  • So do various local gangs and vigilante groups, many of which are allied with the larger cartels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of ally

Browse Nearby Words

cab
cabal
caballed
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Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cabal

Nglish: Translation of cabal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cabal

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