cabal
/kəˈbæl/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈbæl/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈbäl -ˈbal/ (ame, mw)
cabal — noun
- cabalsingular
- cabalsplural
1. A small circle of people who work together secretly to gain political influence
A small circle of people who work together secretly to gain political influence or power, often using dishonest methods.
A cabal of senior military officers seized control of the city while the president was traveling abroad.
cabal + of + [group] describing a takeover
The local newspaper showed that a cabal of wealthy landowners had been changing tax rules for years.
In the novel, a cabal of royal advisors meets in a hidden room to plot against the queen.
Before the election, Senator Okonkwo warned the public about a cabal of extremists trying to divide the country.
The CEO denied that a cabal existed, but leaked emails showed three executives making key decisions alone.
- clique
more social than political, not necessarily secret
- faction
broader meaning; can be an open group within a larger organization
- conspiracy
focuses on the secret plan itself, not the group of people
- public committee
a group that operates openly and by formal rules
文法句型
cabal + of + [people]
用法筆記
Almost always used critically to describe a group the speaker disapproves of. 'Cabal' is far stronger than 'group' or 'committee' because it insists on secrecy and dishonest intent.
常見錯誤
2. A secret plan crafted by a few individuals, designed to win political power or o
A secret plan crafted by a few individuals, designed to win political power or overthrow those currently in charge.
Historians uncovered a cabal within the royal court aimed at replacing the king with his younger brother.
a cabal + within + [place] + aimed at + [goal]
The ambassador's letters described a cabal to start a war between the two neighboring countries.
Citizens feared a cabal among corrupt officials to steal money meant for new schools.
The film follows a young journalist who uncovers a cabal to silence opposition voices before the vote.
- plot
less formal and can be used for non-political situations
- conspiracy
very similar, but often implies a larger group and a more serious crime
文法句型
a cabal + to-infinitive
a cabal + against + [target]
用法筆記
Less common than the 'SECRET GROUP' sense — this sense names the scheme itself, not the people behind it. Distinguish by asking whether the sentence describes a plan (sense 2) or the group who made it (sense 1).
cabal — verb
- cabalpresent simple I / you / we / they
- cabals3rd person singular
- cabaling-ing form
- cabaledpast simple
1. To join with other people in a secret alliance for planning political strategy o
To join with other people in a secret alliance for planning political strategy or gaining power, typically by working outside official channels.
The three generals caballed against the elected government, meeting in a private house far from the capital.
cabal + against + [target]
During the crisis, several party members caballed to remove the prime minister from office.
Court records showed that the ministers had caballed for months before announcing the sudden change in leadership.
The two ambassadors caballed with opposition leaders to block the trade agreement.
文法句型
cabal + with + [person]
cabal + against + [target]
用法筆記
Very rare in everyday speech. Found mainly in historical or political writing describing past events. Almost always appears in past tense forms ('caballed', 'had caballed').