collude

[kuh-lood]

verb (used without object)

colluded, colluding 

1. to act together through a secret understanding, especially with evil or harmful intent.

2. to conspire in a fraud.

collude

/ kəˈluːd /

verb

1. (intr) to conspire together, esp in planning a fraud; connive

Other Word Forms

• colluder noun
• precollude verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of collude¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin collūdere “to play together,” equivalent to col- col- ¹ + lūdere “to play”

Word History and Origins

Origin of collude¹

C16: from Latin collūdere, literally: to play together, hence, conspire together, from com- together + lūdere to play

Example Sentences

So he’s accusing the home builders of colluding to restrict housing supply?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s big government colluding with big banks and big business to spy on everything Americans buy, every place they go, everything they do,” Jordan said.

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The ride app giant alleged that the firms had filed a flurry of “fraudulent claims” and colluded with an Encino-based doctor to inflate the cost of plaintiffs’ medical expenses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Herzog cites professional wrestling as an example of a spectacle in which the audience members and performers collude in a narrative that is patently false, yet has all the elements of legitimate competition.

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Closing arguments begin on Thursday for Lai, who is accused of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• connive