connive
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed bywith ).
They connived to take over the business.
-
to avoid noticing something that one is expected to oppose or condemn; give aid to wrongdoing by forbearing to act or speak (usually followed byat ).
The policeman connived at traffic violations.
-
to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually followed byat ).
to connive at childlike exaggerations.
verb
-
to plot together, esp secretly; conspire
-
(foll by at) law to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has connivedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have connivedperfect
-
has been connivingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are connivingprogressive
-
connivingparticiple
-
is connivingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am connivingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been connivingperfect progressive
-
connivessingular 3rd person
Past
-
had connivedperfect
-
had been connivingperfect progressive
-
were connivingprogressive plural
-
connivedparticiple
-
connivedsimple
-
was connivingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of connive
1595–1605; (< French conniver ) < Latin co ( n ) nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equivalent to con- con- + -nīvēre, akin to nictāre to blink ( cf. nictitate)
Explanation
To connive is to plan or plot to do something illegal or wrong. Conniving is considered dishonest and cowardly. If someone accuses you of conniving, that's definitely not a compliment. Conniving usually occurs in secret, and people who connive are up to no good. Criminals planning a bank robbery are conniving. Crooked politicians looking for a bribe are conniving. Villains connive, and conniving is associated with conspiracies and dishonesty. The opposite of conniving is being honest and straightforward.
Vocabulary lists containing connive
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Advanced English Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Censors," Vocabulary from the short story
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But thee, Love, he made Lest man should defy him, Connive and outvie him, And not be afraid: Nay, thee, Love, he gave His terrors to cover, And turn to a lover His insolent slave.
From The Poetical Works of Robert Bridges by Bridges, Robert
Connive, kon-īv′, v.i. to wink at a fault: to take no notice: to have a private understanding.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
