collusion

[kuh-loo-zhuhn]

noun

1. a secret agreement, especially for fraudulent or treacherous purposes; conspiracy.

   Some of his employees were acting in collusion to rob him.

   Synonyms: complicity, connivance, intrigue

2. Law.,  a secret understanding between two or more persons to gain something illegally, to defraud someone's rights, or to appear as adversaries though in agreement.

   collusion of husband and wife to obtain a divorce.

collusion

/ kəˈluːʒən /

noun

1. secret agreement for a fraudulent purpose; connivance; conspiracy

2. a secret agreement between opponents at law in order to obtain a judicial decision for some wrongful or improper purpose

Other Word Forms

• noncollusion noun
• precollusion noun
• collusive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of collusion¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Middle French ) from Latin collūsiōn- (stem of collūsiō ), equivalent to collūs(us) (past participle of collūdere to collude ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of collusion¹

C14: from Latin collūsiō, from collūdere to _collude

Example Sentences

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of preparing to wage war against it in collusion with an opposition grouping, in the latest sign of escalating tensions between the two neighbours over control of the Red Sea.

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McDonald added that the "British state and its agencies have sought to pull a veil over collusion", and she insisted: "There cannot be hiding places given to anyone".

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The fan also claims there was collusion between team owners and racial discrimination.

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The effort was “coordinated and planned collusion to circumvent the people and Texas’ legislative process,” said Kristin Etter of the Texas Immigration Law Council, an immigrant rights advocacy group.

Read more on Salon

"It's a combination of industrial fraud and state collusion."

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Related Words

• complicity 
• conspiracy 
• deceit 
• scam