Connive
verb
To secretly help someone to do something that is dishonest or illegal.
The governor was accused of conniving with the mob to pass illegal laws.
Often appears as...
- connive with
- connive at
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
verb
To pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose.
The teacher seemed to connive at cheating during exams.
Often appears as...
- connive at
- connive in
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
verb
To secretly help someone to do something that is dishonest or illegal.
The governor was accused of conniving with the mob to pass illegal laws.
Often appears as...
- connive with
- connive at
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
verb
To pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose.
The teacher seemed to connive at cheating during exams.
Often appears as...
- connive at
- connive in
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Covert Actions
Connive implies secretive, behind-the-scenes actions or agreements, often of a negative nature.
The officials were found to connive in hiding evidence.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Using 'connive' suggests disapproval of the action being described and can indicate corruption.
He did not just accept bribes; he connived to hide them.
Pro Tip 3/3Colluding Implications
The word often underscores joint or collaborative illicit actions, involving two or more parties.
Both companies were accused of conniving to fix prices.
Pro Tip 1/3Covert Actions
Connive implies secretive, behind-the-scenes actions or agreements, often of a negative nature.
The officials were found to connive in hiding evidence.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Using 'connive' suggests disapproval of the action being described and can indicate corruption.
He did not just accept bribes; he connived to hide them.
Pro Tip 3/3Colluding Implications
The word often underscores joint or collaborative illicit actions, involving two or more parties.
Both companies were accused of conniving to fix prices.
Pro Tip 1/3Covert Actions
Connive implies secretive, behind-the-scenes actions or agreements, often of a negative nature.
The officials were found to connive in hiding evidence.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Using 'connive' suggests disapproval of the action being described and can indicate corruption.
He did not just accept bribes; he connived to hide them.
Pro Tip 3/3Colluding Implications
The word often underscores joint or collaborative illicit actions, involving two or more parties.
Both companies were accused of conniving to fix prices.
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 118 PIPE...
animals behavior they're not actually to get us I struggle to go to a city because people are the dangerous ones watch out sends behind you people are probably the most unpredictable mammal creature in the world they're cunning they're conniving I don't understand
Video examples
Why should you read...
over an ever-widening canvas. There are no main characters in "War and Peace." Instead, readers enter a vast interlocking web of relationships and questions. Will the hapless and illegitimate son of a count marry a beautiful but conniving princess?
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 118 PIPE...
animals behavior they're not actually to get us I struggle to go to a city because people are the dangerous ones watch out sends behind you people are probably the most unpredictable mammal creature in the world they're cunning they're conniving I don't understand
Video examples
Why should you read...
over an ever-widening canvas. There are no main characters in "War and Peace." Instead, readers enter a vast interlocking web of relationships and questions. Will the hapless and illegitimate son of a count marry a beautiful but conniving princess?
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Winnie Byanyima
Ugandan Politician
The conniving, rich oilmen that were so desperate to prevent and frustrate the Paris Agreement found cheerleaders in Mr. Trump and his party. They choose to protect their profits from a flailing fossil fuel industry over human lives and a clean, inclusive future for us all.
Quote examples
Tony Danza
American Actor
I think like a lot of people, you look back on your life and say, 'Gee, why didn't I apply myself?' If I would have spent as much time studying as I did conniving, trying to do as little as possible, I probably would have got the A's.
Quote examples
Josh McDowell
American Writer
If they had connived a scheme, and Christ had not been raised from the dead, where would have been the hardest place on the face of the earth to convince anyone? In Jerusalem.
Quote examples
Prashant Bhushan
Indian Lawyer
When the entire administration of the state connives with the perpetrators of violence to thwart justice at every step, clearly there is no rule of law in that state.
Quote examples
Strom Thurmond
American Politician
It is a matter of common knowledge that the government of South Carolina is under domination of a small ring of cunning, conniving men.
Quote examples
Robert Metcalfe
American Inventor
I saw that there are people who will connive against innovation. They're hostile to it. And that has shaped my behavior ever since.
Quote examples
Bess Myerson
American Model
I'm not conniving - that has a pejorative context. I'm not sitting in back rooms making deals. That's not my style.
Quote examples
Kevin Spacey
American Actor
If you ignore the murdering and the conniving, Francis Underwood is an effective politician.
Quote examples
Kate Gosselin
American Celebrity
It doesn't make me feel good to be conniving and manipulative. I can't do that.
Quote examples
Annette Bening
American Actress
Yes, I know I've played these women, but I'm not really conniving at all.
Quote examples
Winnie Byanyima
Ugandan Politician
The conniving, rich oilmen that were so desperate to prevent and frustrate the Paris Agreement found cheerleaders in Mr. Trump and his party. They choose to protect their profits from a flailing fossil fuel industry over human lives and a clean, inclusive future for us all.
Quote examples
Tony Danza
American Actor
I think like a lot of people, you look back on your life and say, 'Gee, why didn't I apply myself?' If I would have spent as much time studying as I did conniving, trying to do as little as possible, I probably would have got the A's.
Quote examples
Josh McDowell
American Writer
If they had connived a scheme, and Christ had not been raised from the dead, where would have been the hardest place on the face of the earth to convince anyone? In Jerusalem.
Quote examples
Prashant Bhushan
Indian Lawyer
When the entire administration of the state connives with the perpetrators of violence to thwart justice at every step, clearly there is no rule of law in that state.
Quote examples
Strom Thurmond
American Politician
It is a matter of common knowledge that the government of South Carolina is under domination of a small ring of cunning, conniving men.
Quote examples
Robert Metcalfe
American Inventor
I saw that there are people who will connive against innovation. They're hostile to it. And that has shaped my behavior ever since.
Quote examples
Bess Myerson
American Model
I'm not conniving - that has a pejorative context. I'm not sitting in back rooms making deals. That's not my style.
Quote examples
Kevin Spacey
American Actor
If you ignore the murdering and the conniving, Francis Underwood is an effective politician.
Quote examples
Kate Gosselin
American Celebrity
It doesn't make me feel good to be conniving and manipulative. I can't do that.
Quote examples
Annette Bening
American Actress
Yes, I know I've played these women, but I'm not really conniving at all.
Example 1 of 10
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