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collusion

kuh-LOO-zhuhn /kəˈluː.ʒən/

nounC1GREGMATSATUPSC

LegalFormalBusiness

Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.

Focuses on secret cooperation between two or more actors to defraud a market, election, or legal system.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'colludere', formed from 'com-' (together) and 'ludere' (to play). Originally meaning 'to play together in a secret game', it evolved into secretly playing the system to deceive outsiders.

Word relationships

conspiracy: Conspiracy specifically refers to an agreement to commit an illegal act, whereas collusion emphasizes secret cooperation to deceive.
complicity: Complicity is state of being involved in a wrongdoing, not necessarily conspiratorial coordination.

open competition: Transparent and independent rivalry between businesses or entities.

Commonly confused with

collision: Collision is a physical crash; collusion is secret deceptive cooperation.

Word family

collude (verb): To conspire or cooperate secretly for deceitful purposes.
collusive (adjective): Involving secret agreement or cooperation.

Collocations

act in collusion
evidence of collusion
collusion charges
secret collusion

Idioms & expressions

in cahoots
hand in glove

Example sentences

"The two tech giants were fined billions for price-fixing collusion that harmed consumers." Antitrust Law
"An independent prosecutor investigated claims of collusion between campaign staffers and foreign operatives." Political Scandal

Memory hook

COLLUSION = COLLABORATING in SECRETS (co-lud-ing). Secret playing together to cheat.

When not to use

Do not use for open, lawful partnerships or official alliances.

Fun facts

In economic game theory, price collusion in oligopolies can create synthetic monopolies that artificially inflate prices.