Conniveries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Secret plans or schemes intended to deceive or trick others; acts of collusion or conspiracies designed to achieve wrongful or dishonest aims; covert operations involving manipulation or underhand tactics
2. Engaging in crafty or cunning behavior aimed at cheating or misleading people; coordinating hidden plots or agreements that break trust; subtle and deceitful conduct meant to gain unfair advantage
3. The practice of plotting or collaborating in secret for deceptive purposes; activities marked by sly intrigue and dishonest arrangements; conspiratorial actions intended to mislead, manipulate, or exploit others

Etymology: "Conniveries" is the plural of "connivery", a noun meaning secret, deceptive plots. The root is the verb "connive", which comes from Latin "connivere", to close the eyes or to wink at something, and the sense of winking at wrongdoing gradually gave way to actively scheming in secret. The suffix "-ery" attaches to the verb to form a noun for the activity itself, so "connivery" names the practice of conniving, and the plural "conniveries" simply counts separate instances of such plotting.

Synonyms: schemes, plots, intrigues, machinations, collusions

Antonyms: honesty, openness, fairness, transparency, integrity