connive

[ kuh-nahyv ]

verb (used without object)

, con·nived, con·niv·ing.

1. to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed by with ):

   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 by at ):

   The policeman connived at traffic violations.

3. to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually followed by at ):

   to connive at childlike exaggerations.

connive

/ 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)

Derived Forms

• conˈniver, noun
• conˈnivingly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·niver noun
• con·niving·ly adverb
• uncon·nived adjective
• uncon·niving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of connive¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of connive¹

C17: from French conniver, from Latin connīvēre to blink, hence, leave uncensured; -nīvēre related to nictāre to wink

Example Sentences

I’ll be back, you can be sure,At latest 2024, and I will thriveIf I connive!

From Washington Post

When they couldn't connive and consume they turned into black and white and had nothing left to live for.

From The Daily Beast

They would never connive at this second sowing of the dragon's teeth of Cadmus.

From Project Gutenberg

Werther, however, did not abandon his enterprise, and even besought the judge to connive at the flight of the prisoner.

From Project Gutenberg

What was there astonishing in that King James, not wishing to shed your blood on the scaffold, should connive at your escape?

From Project Gutenberg

No money-making graft is too petty or too immoral for the MacMorroghs to connive at.

From Project Gutenberg

When I suggested that he connive with the governor toward removing our sheriff, he declared that the governor was a coward.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• collude
• conspire