connivance

or con·niv·ence

[ kuh-nahy-vuhns ]

/ kəˈnaɪ vəns /

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See synonyms for connivance on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of conniving.

Law.

tacit encouragement or assent (without participation) to wrongdoing by another.
the consent by a person to a spouse's conduct, especially adultery, that is later made the basis of a divorce proceeding or other complaint.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of connivance

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier connivence, from French or directly from Latin connīventia; see origin at connive, -ence, -ance

OTHER WORDS FROM connivance

non·con·niv·ance, nounnon·con·niv·ence, noun

Words nearby connivance

connex, connexion, Connie, conning tower, conniption, connivance, connive, connivent, connivery, conniving, connoisseur

How to use connivance in a sentence

On Tuesday, Russia called the upsurge in protests “connivance by Western politicians and European structures.”
Up to Speed: What’s Going on in Ukraine?|Nina Strochlic|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He fancied this would not have happened without her connivance, and she seemed graver than usual when he stood by her chair.
Winston of the Prairie|Harold Bindloss
All our leaders would lose their heads if a single imprudent act allowed their connivance with the queen-mother to be seen.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
The darkness was profound for a moment: the lightnings paused—a sort of sinister connivance.
Toilers of the Sea|Victor Hugo

With the connivance of a corrupt police force, Tim can even ruin him on a trumped-up charge.
The Old World in the New|Edward Alsworth Ross
The current belief was that his preferment was disgrace for connivance at communications between him and Cobham.
Sir Walter Ralegh|William Stebbing

British Dictionary definitions for connivance

connivance

/ (kəˈnaɪvəns) /

noun

the act or fact of conniving

law the tacit encouragement of or assent to another's wrongdoing, esp (formerly) of the petitioner in a divorce suit to the respondent's adultery

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

connivance

or con·niv·ence

Origin of connivance

OTHER WORDS FROM connivance

Words nearby connivance

Words related to connivance

How to use connivance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for connivance