# conspiring

/kənˈspaɪɹɪŋ/ (US) · /kənspˈaɪəɹɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conspiring
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

planning secretly with other people to do something harmful or illegal. Sometimes it feels like events or luck are working together against you.

For teachers: planning secretly with others to commit an unlawful or harmful act. When applied to inanimate objects or circumstances, it suggests a figurative coordination of events toward a negative outcome.

## Examples

- They were arrested for conspiring to steal the paintings.
- The two rival companies were caught conspiring to fix prices and drive out smaller competitors.
- The defense argued that while the defendants shared a common goal, there was no evidence of them actively conspiring to subvert the regulatory process through illegal means.

## Pitfalls

- Not "conspiring for do it" but "conspiring to do it" — When followed by an action, the verb requires the to-infinitive rather than the preposition 'for'.

## Usage notes

- Often takes the preposition 'with' for accomplices and 'to' or 'against' for the objective.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.