Definition

1. Noun:
   • An agreement to keep silent about a matter, especially one that is controversial, embarrassing, or incriminating: A "conspiracy of silence" refers to a situation where a group of people collectively and often secretly decide not to discuss or reveal certain information.

Usage

• This phrase is used to describe an unspoken or explicit pact among individuals or an organization to suppress information, avoid public discussion, or ignore a problematic issue.
• It often implies a negative or unethical motive, such as protecting wrongdoers, avoiding scandal, or maintaining a false appearance.
• It is typically used in formal or journalistic contexts to criticize the withholding of important truths.

Examples

• Noun:
  • There was a conspiracy of silence about police brutality in the department.
  • The company's management maintained a conspiracy of silence regarding the safety violations.
  • Breaking the conspiracy of silence, the whistleblower provided evidence to the press.

Advanced Usage

• "to break/shatter the conspiracy of silence": to end the agreement by speaking out.
  • The journalist's report aimed to break the conspiracy of silence surrounding the corruption scandal.
• "to maintain/uphold a conspiracy of silence": to continue keeping the secret.
  • For years, the community maintained a conspiracy of silence about the historical injustice.

Variants and Related Words

• Conspiracy (n): a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
  • They were accused of a conspiracy to defraud investors.
• Code of silence / Omertà (n): similar concepts, often used in specific contexts like police departments or criminal organizations, denoting a rule prohibiting cooperation with authorities.
  • The gang operated under a strict code of silence.

Synonyms

• Cover-up: an attempt to prevent the public from discovering the truth about a serious mistake or crime.
• Secrecy pact: an agreement to keep something secret.
• Collusion: secret or illegal cooperation, especially to cheat or deceive others.

Related Phrases

• To turn a blind eye: to pretend not to notice something bad or illegal.
  • Officials turned a blind eye to the violations, contributing to the conspiracy of silence.
• To sweep something under the rug: to hide a problem or secret in an attempt to forget it.
  • The administration tried to sweep the allegations under the rug, fostering a conspiracy of silence.

Noun

1. a conspiracy not to talk about some situation or event
   • there was a conspiracy of silence about police brutality