connive

American  

[kuh-nahyv] / kəˈnaɪv /

verb (used without object)

connived, conniving

1. to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed bywith ).

   They connived to take over the business.

   Synonyms:

   collude, plot, plan

2. 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.

3. to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually followed byat ).

   to connive at childlike exaggerations.

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connive British  

/ kəˈnaɪv /

verb

1. to plot together, esp secretly; conspire

2. (foll by at) law to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong)

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Other Word Forms

• conniver noun
• connivingly adverb
• unconnived adjective
• unconniving adjective

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 ( nictitate )

Example Sentences

I love their coach, their quarterback, their coolness, their momentum, their journey without the conniving Bill Belichick.

From Los Angeles Times

She may be a conniving opportunist; she may be an abused and desperate woman simply hoping for a better life.

From The Wall Street Journal

At Sam First, you’re so far into the Westside it feels conniving and like a tech monster might hold you hostage until you give up all your data.

From Los Angeles Times

At a Saturday briefing for high ranking military officers first reported by the Journal, Gen. Zhang was accused of everything from conniving at corruption with family members to spilling nuclear secrets to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Court documents filed this week paint an image of both a conniving player and a fragile individual.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collude
• conspire