cabal

[ kuh-bal ]

/ kəˈbæl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cabal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority.

the plots and schemes of such a group; intrigue.

a clique, as in artistic, literary, or theatrical circles.

verb (used without object), ca·balled, ca·bal·ling.

to form a cabal; intrigue; conspire; plot.

RELATED WORDS

scheme, conspiracy, intrigue

Nearby words

caa, caaba, cab, cab rank rule, cab-over, cabal, cabala, cabaletta, cabalism, cabalist, cabalistic

Origin of cabal

1610–20, for an earlier sense; earlier cabbal < Medieval Latin cabbala. See cabala

SYNONYMS FOR cabal

1 junta, faction, band, league, ring.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cabal ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ca·bal·ler, noun

Can be confused

cabal cabala

Synonym study

2. See conspiracy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cabal

A cabal can do it, selling their influence to the highest bidder.
Valerie Jarrett, Obama Consigliere—and Democracy Killer|James Poulos|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The arms dealer sells it to a mysterious neo-Nazi cabal, which then detonates it in Baltimore.
Want To Know What America Thinks of Itself? Watch Jack Ryan on Wall Street|Andrew Romano|January 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
LIBOR is the very definition of a rate set by a cabal, ripe for collusion.
Don’t Just Blame Banks for Barclays Interest-Rates Mess|Zachary Karabell|July 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Silicon Valley has its own weaknesses: the cabal of successful investors is small and insular.
Don't De-Friend Facebook Yet: Its IPO Might Not Mean Trouble Ahead|Zachary Karabell|May 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST

They even worry that a neo-con "cabal" has co-opted internal party debates, just as liberals have long maintained.
The New GOP Warmongers|Matt Latimer|March 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In the meanwhile, a cabal was going on against the old Ministry.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Volume X (of 12)|Various
But the King and the Jesuitical cabal had determined that the disgrace of the Hydes should be complete.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The cabal made a great noise to cover this monstrous audacity, and endeavoured to renew the attack against the Duc de Bourgogne.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete|Duc de Saint-Simon
Meanwhile the cabal against the ruined Ripperda raged with redoubled fury in the Spanish cabinet.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
His conduct was, in fact, much remarked, and the cabal opposed to him entirely reduced to silence.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete|Duc de Saint-Simon

British Dictionary definitions for cabal (1 of 2)

cabal

/ (kəˈbæl) /

noun

a small group of intriguers, esp one formed for political purposes

a secret plot, esp a political one; conspiracy; intrigue

a secret or exclusive set of people; clique

verb -bals, -balling or -balled (intr)

to form a cabal; conspire; plot

Word Origin for cabal

C17: from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see cabbala

British Dictionary definitions for cabal (2 of 2)

Cabal

/ (kəˈbæl) /

noun

the Cabal English history a group of ministers of Charles II that governed from 1667–73: consisting of Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale

Word Origin for Cabal

see kabbalah; by a coincidence, the initials of Charles II's ministers can be arranged to form this word

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012