conspiracy

Everyday

1. A secret plan made by a group of people to do something harmful or illegal: «a conspiracy to rob the bank». tree →
2. The act of planning such a thing: «They were found guilty of conspiracy». tree →
3. A conspiracy theory: a belief that a secret group is behind events, often without good evidence. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 (Guy Fawkes, remembered on Bonfire Night in the UK) was a conspiracy to blow up Parliament. In media literacy and online-safety lessons, pupils learn to check conspiracy theories (for example, that the Moon landings were faked) against reliable evidence. In mystery stories, the detective uncovers a conspiracy. Phrases: «a conspiracy theory», «a conspiracy to», «a conspiracy of silence», «uncover a conspiracy».

Examples

• The Gunpowder Plot was a conspiracy to blow up Parliament in 1605. tree →
• The detective uncovered a conspiracy to steal the crown jewels. tree →
• My cousin believes a conspiracy theory that the Moon landings were faked, but there is strong evidence they were real. tree →
• The men were jailed for conspiracy to commit fraud. tree →
• There was a conspiracy of silence about the missing money. tree →
• Always check a conspiracy theory with trusted sources. tree →
• The kids joked that there was a conspiracy to give them extra homework. tree →
• For many years the founder of Thebes reigned happily, but at length a conspiracy was formed against him, and he was deprived of his throne by his grandson Pentheus. tree →

Note

Plural: conspiracies (y changes to ies). The verb is «conspire» and a person who does it is a «conspirator». Trap: calling something a «conspiracy theory» does not make it automatically false or true; the question is the evidence. Some real conspiracies have happened, but most popular conspiracy theories have no good evidence.

In Jewish tradition

A secret plot, usually to overthrow a king, as with Absalom or against Joash. Jeremiah uses it for a plot of the people against God.

Interpretation. Tradition sees these plots as rebellion that brings punishment. Jeremiah's "conspiracy" is read as the people turning back to old sins.

Examples

• And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. (Prophets 2SA.15.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and smote Joash at Beth-millo, on the way that goeth down to Silla. (Prophets 2KI.12.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD said unto me: 'A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Prophets JER.11.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: conspiracies (y changes to ies). The verb is «conspire» and a person who does it is a «conspirator». Trap: calling something a «conspiracy theory» does not make it automatically false or true; the question is the evidence. Some real conspiracies have happened, but most popular conspiracy theories have no good evidence.