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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cabal

Noun

Increasingly, his mind was preoccupied with extremist views and conspiracy theories, including secret government cabals and false-flag operations. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 The eight-part Spanish-language drama, inspired by real events, is set in 1980s Lima, Peru, and follows the rise of an elite law school cabal that infiltrates academia, politics, and organized crime. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Verb

Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2019 Powell is drawing encouragement from the significant losses of candidates who, like Burton, are backed by the Empower Texans cabal attempting to take control of the Texas Legislature. — Richard Greene, star-telegram, 24 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for cabal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal

Noun

Meanwhile, the Mob Museum reported, Mafia violence was also on the rise in Vegas during the 70s.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Expanding on sounds pioneered by his Memphis predecessors, such as Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, Tay Keith carved his own lane.

— DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026

Definition of Mafia

Verb

Volpe appeared to club a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth inning of Wednesday night’s ALDS Game 3 in the Bronx, only for a video review to determine that an interfering fan aided the ball over the left-field wall.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Varma holed out in the outfield in Ahmed’s final over, but Varma motored to his 21-ball half-century by clubbing 15 runs of the fast bowler’s final four balls.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of club

Noun

And while Haiti has committed to a handover protocol for child gang members, getting the public to accept reintegration of anyone with gang associations is likely to be challenging.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
The changes, which eliminated a requirement from Haiti’s central bank that’s considered a safeguard against individual under sanctions, have raised concerns that people accused of corruption or supporting armed gangs could be elected to office.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of gang

Noun

The attorney general’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will assume jurisdiction over the multi-circuit criminal conspiracy case against Castro.

— Landon Mion , Lorraine Taylor, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Florida has charged Castro alone with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Verb

Artcraft is also working with the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, which began collaborating with Mockoski and Harris in 2025 on restorations from Paramount’s silent-era library.

— Lise Pedersen, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Southern Company, Idaho National Laboratory and CORE POWER are collaborating on the project through the department’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of collaborate

Noun

Despite the reactionary politics of the yakuza films, not to mention of the syndicates themselves, Ken-san was very popular among left-wing student protesters in the late nineteen-sixties.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Musk’s name is one of a number of wealthy individuals that Paramount CEO David Ellison has considered tapping for the syndicate, the people said.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of syndicate

Verb

Meanwhile, the national army is advancing alongside the Tigray Peace Force, a group of former TPLF fighters now allied with Addis Ababa.

— Siyanne Mekonnen, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
Also Sunday, France's Socialist and allied voters chose European Parliament lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann as their presidential candidate in a primary election marred by a cyberattack and divisions within the mainstream left.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of ally

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“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cabal

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Synonyms of cabal

noun

verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on cabal

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