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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Adherents of QAnon claim the deep state works with a cabal of pedophile elites to secretly traffic children and harvest a chemical from their blood. —

Audrey Nguyen, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024 The same cabal denied confirmation of Julie Su, a stalwart and exceptionally effective advocate for worker rights throughout a professional career that included service as California Labor Commissioner, as successor to Biden’s first Labor secretary, Marty Walsh. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 Though this is only a $100 price increase from the Nova H1 Audio Earrings, framing this condemnation under the guise of class consciousness isn’t nearly as exciting as leading with the accusation of a cabal controlling Harris through studded pearls. —

Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The lawsuits generally describe their goal as the protection of free speech and open debate online, and present X as the innocent target of one cabal or another. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cabal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal

Noun

California For Subscribers The Mexican Mafia Tapes: Secret recordings reveal greed, betrayal — and a deal with the feds Sept. 4, 2024 Stinson had already been serving a life sentence for murdering a drug dealer in 1979.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The Bills have won six straight AFC East titles, and nothing short of their first Super Bowl appearance since 1993 seems acceptable to their Mafia.

— Jack Magruder, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025