conspiratorial
conspiratorial — adjective
- conspiratorialpositive
- more conspiratorialcomparative
- most conspiratorialsuperlative
1. describing plans, ideas, or situations that involve a group secretly working tog
describing plans, ideas, or situations that involve a group secretly working together to do something harmful or against the law
The detective found evidence of a conspiratorial plot inside the mayor's office.
collocation: conspiratorial + plot
Mei-Ling read several articles about a conspiratorial network among the city's bankers.
A conspiratorial atmosphere spread through the factory after the manager was fired.
The senator denied any conspiratorial involvement in the bribery scheme.
Many people believe the conspiratorial theory that the landing on the Moon was faked.
- clandestine
more formal and purely about secrecy; conspiratorial emphasizes a group's shared plot
- underhand
suggests dishonest methods in general, not necessarily group action
- collusive
more technical and legal, describing illegal coordination between parties
- open
not hidden or secret at all
- aboveboard
honest and legal, with nothing concealed
文法句型
conspiratorial + noun
be + conspiratorial
用法筆記
Frequently modifies nouns such as theory, plot, network, dealings, and involvement. Often used in news, political, and investigative contexts.
常見錯誤
2. used for a look, whisper, or smile that communicates an unspoken understanding b
used for a look, whisper, or smile that communicates an unspoken understanding between two people, often because they share secret knowledge
Theo shot Mei-Ling a conspiratorial wink from the back of the room.
collocation: conspiratorial + wink
Nadia lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper when the boss walked past.
Vikram and Diego exchanged conspiratorial glances at the back of the classroom.
There was something conspiratorial about the way Kofi leaned toward Ananya.
Hugo offered Lucia a conspiratorial smile before they quietly slipped out the door.
- knowing
shows understanding but does not necessarily imply secrecy
- sly
more negative, suggesting deceit; conspiratorial can be playful
- meaningful
broader and less specific about a shared secret
文法句型
conspiratorial + noun (whisper/wink/glance/smile)
there was something conspiratorial about + noun phrase
用法筆記
Appears before nouns for forms of communication: whisper, wink, glance, smile, look, or tone. The sense implies shared secrecy between two people (or a small, trusted group).