collusion
kuh-LOO-zhun
/kəˈluːʒən/
Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.
Specifically denotes hidden collaboration between two or more parties on work intended to be executed individually.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'colludere', meaning 'to play together' or 'to mock together'. It shifted in classical times to mean secret cooperation in court cases to trick a judge, giving us its modern sense of illicit secret plotting.
Word relationships
- conspiracy: Conspiracy usually refers to plotting serious crimes or political overthrows, whereas collusion often targets fraudulent cooperation in economic or academic contexts.
- complicity: Complicity is being involved in a wrongful act initiated by another, while collusion implies joint secret scheming.
- collaboration: Collaboration is legitimate, transparent teamwork.
- independence: Independence involves working entirely alone without external input.
Commonly confused with
- collision: Collision is a violent crash between objects, whereas collusion is secret conspiratorial agreement.
Word family
- collude (verb): To conspire secretly.
- collusive (adjective): Involving secret deception.
Collocations
- act in collusion
- collusion between
- suspected collusion
- unlawful collusion
Idioms & expressions
- in league with
- hand in glove
Example sentences
- "Students who shared answers over instant messenger during the online test were penalized for collusion." Exam Policy
- "The regulatory board investigated the two technology firms for alleged collusion to fix market prices." Corporate Law
Memory hook
Secretly playing (LUD) together (COL) behind the teacher's back. Secret playing together
When not to use
Do not use for open, permitted group collaboration or standard teamwork.
Fun facts
- 'Collusion' and 'illusion' share the Latin root 'ludere' (to play) — one plays a secret game, the other plays tricks on your eyes.
Related words
Explore more words
subterfuge, defraud, fraud, conspiracy, double-cross, chicanery
Also appears in
- Relationships → Cooperation & Synergy
- Finance → Financial Fraud & Scams
- Law → Corruption & Bribery
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Game Theory & Strategic Behavior
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Monopolies & Antitrust
- Political Science & Governance → Corruption & Whistleblowing
- Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → White-Collar & Corporate Crime
- Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → Organized Crime & Syndicates
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