CABAL Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'cabal' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy , intrigue , machination , and plot . While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. // a cabal among powerful senators

Q: Where would 'conspiracy' be a reasonable alternative to 'cabal'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal , conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. // a conspiracy to fix prices

Q: When could 'intrigue' be used to replace 'cabal'?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity. // backstairs intrigue

Q: In what contexts can 'machination' take the place of 'cabal'?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means. // the machinations of a party boss

Q: When is 'plot' a more appropriate choice than 'cabal'?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. // an assassination plot

cabal 1 of 2

noun

kə-ˈbäl

Definition of cabal next

as in Mafia

a group involved in secret or criminal activities a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

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How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of cabal

Noun

And so the story goes, filled with all manner of quirky and hysterical, including a bus that's powered by gerbils, a dean of students who's a hermit crab, and a bold mission to save the town of Antiquarium from an evil cabal of nefarious mad scientists. —

Mia Taylor, Parents, 4 Oct. 2024 Claims of a Republican-hating cabal of meteorologists pulling stormy levers to park hurricanes over southern states are, perhaps all too obviously, false. —

Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024 Not exactly the far-reaching cabal of Third Reich fanatics often depicted in popular media, but that doesn’t mean the secrets and danger surrounding the conspiracy to hide Mengele were no less real. —

Josh Weiss, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 From April to July 2019, Egypt then used its perch as president of the African Union to protect the Transitional Military Council—the cabal of Sudanese generals that filled the power vacuum left by Bashir’s ouster. —

Michael Woldemariam, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2020 See all Example Sentences for cabal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal

Noun

Later, at a listening party in 2019, Ken was with 808 Mafia’s Southside when Carti emerged from the shadows—the night ended with Ken and Carti in the studio together, bonding over clothes.

Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
The latter album, comprising new recordings of material associated with Jones, included appearances by such diverse artists as Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean and Three 6 Mafia.

Chris Morris, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024