conspiracy theory
noun
plural conspiracy theories
: a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators
the conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's assassination
also
: a theory asserting that a secret of great importance is being kept from the public
… is best known for … his conspiracy theory that a secret cabal of reptilian humanoids is running the world. —
Simon Little
Simon Little … has often been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories such as "birtherism," the theory that President Obama was not born in the U.S. —Grace Segers
Grace Segers Examples of conspiracy theory in a Sentence
Conspiracy theories sprung up soon after the leader's assassination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kennedy is an anti-vaxxer who promotes false conspiracy theories and disputes almost anything backed by science.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024
The report by Rhiannon Mills, the senior royal editor for Sky News, resurfaced over the past week and prompted a new round of conspiracy theories surrounding the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis and recovery, the Daily Beast reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
And everyone can broadcast these previously fringe conspiracy theories that are now mainstream.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
This conspiracy theory quickly took off, reaching over 6 million impressions on X and 50,000 shares on Facebook.
—Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for conspiracy theory 
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Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024
The report by Rhiannon Mills, the senior royal editor for Sky News, resurfaced over the past week and prompted a new round of conspiracy theories surrounding the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis and recovery, the Daily Beast reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
And everyone can broadcast these previously fringe conspiracy theories that are now mainstream.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
This conspiracy theory quickly took off, reaching over 6 million impressions on X and 50,000 shares on Facebook.
—Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for conspiracy theory
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Cite this Entry
“Conspiracy theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspiracy%20theory. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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