collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose

acting in collusion with the enemy

collusive

kə-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

collusively adverb

Synonyms

• complicity
• connivance
• conspiracy

Examples of collusion in a Sentence

The company was acting in collusion with manufacturers to inflate prices.

there was collusion between the two companies to fix prices

Recent Examples on the Web

Claire, in collusion with her grandfather, plan activities that are designed to re-unite her parents. —EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024

On Russian ‘collusion’ In the months leading up to Trump’s 2016 election, the FBI began investigating Russian interference in the race — and unverified claims that Trump associates were aiding those efforts. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024

The suit alleges collusion to illegally boycott certain companies and platforms, including Rumble, by misusing brand safety standards to exclude them from advertising. —Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2024

The department must be careful of reaching out to individual providers to avoid the appearance of collusion, Medlin said. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin collusion-, collusio, from colludere — see collude

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: secret agreement or cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose

collusive

-ˈlü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

Legal Definition

collusion

noun

col·​lu·​sion kə-ˈlü-zhən 

: the act or an instance of colluding

collusive

-siv 

adjective