to cabal
9.7
To plot secretly to gain power, often in politics
- verb
- /kəˈbæl/
- Formal
:
conspirar
- She suspected that her colleagues were cabaling against her to gain control of the project.
Examples
-
The activists were accused of cabaling to influence government policy from behind the scenes.
-
Several politicians were caught cabaling to undermine the election results.
-
Don't expect them to explain exactly what this 'narrative' is that the liberal media is cabaling.
Blog text (1)
Synonyms
to conspire
vsto cabal
130
5.8
To secretly plan with other people to do something illegal or harmful
differs by often implying political goals rather than any crime
to collude
vsto cabal
44
8.3
To secretly work with others to trick or cheat someone
focuses on political plotting rather than private deception or fraud
1
9.9
To make secret plans to do something bad
is like this but commonly points to political plotting specifically
9.9
To form a secret group to plot against someone
is used for secret schemes especially with political goals
to coconspire
vsto cabal
9.7
To plan secretly with others to do something illegal
is similar but often stresses political motives rather than general harm
How Secretive
Surface Forms
Etymology
To cabal comes from the same source as Kabbalah, which meant 'secret teaching', and it now means to meet in private to plot or conspire, often for political ends.