conspiracy
/kən-ˈspir-ə-sē/
noun
the act of conspiring together
an agreement among conspirators
a group of conspirators
They were accused of conspiracy to commit murder.
plot intrigue machination conspiracy cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end. plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.
noun phrase
a secret agreement to keep silent about an occurrence, situation, or subject especially in order to promote or protect selfish interests
noun
a person who proposes or believes in a conspiracy theory
Distrust of the numbers is why one group of dissenters—government conspiracy theorists—grow during pandemics.