conspiratorial
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to or characteristic of a conspiracy or conspirators: Describing something that suggests a secret plan to do something unlawful or harmful, or that resembles the behavior of people involved in such a plan.
- Suggestive of secrecy or shared understanding: Having a manner that implies a private, often secretive, knowledge or agreement between a limited group of people.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- He gave me a conspiratorial wink, signaling that our secret plan was still on.
- The two politicians exchanged conspiratorial glances during the public hearing.
- Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as she shared the confidential news.
Advanced Usage
"in a conspiratorial tone/manner": Speaking or acting in a way that suggests a shared secret.
- She leaned in and spoke in a conspiratorial tone about the office gossip.
"conspiratorial air/atmosphere": An environment or feeling suggestive of hidden plots or secrets.
- The meeting had a conspiratorial air, with everyone speaking in hushed voices.
Variants and Related Words
Conspiracy (n): A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
- The police uncovered a conspiracy to rob the bank.
Conspirator (n): A person who takes part in a conspiracy.
- The conspirators met in secret to finalize their plot.
Conspiratorially (adv): In a conspiratorial manner.
- He nodded conspiratorially, confirming his involvement.
Synonyms
- Secretive: Inclined to conceal feelings, intentions, or actions.
- Clandestine: Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
- Furtive: Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble.
Antonyms
- Open: Done or acting without concealment.
- Frank: Open, honest, and direct in speech or writing.
- Aboveboard: Legitimate, honest, and open.
Related Phrases
In cahoots (with someone): Colluding or conspiring with someone.
- The two companies were in cahoots to fix the prices.
A nod and a wink: An action or statement that is suggestive and indicates a shared secret understanding.
- The agreement was made with a nod and a wink, nothing official was written down.
Adjective
- relating to or characteristic of conspiracy or conspirators
- a conspiratorial whisper
- the discovery of possible conspirative codes