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Definitions

cabal

[kuh-bal, kuh-bawl] / kəˈbæl, kəˈbɔl /
NOUN
plot
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Conspiracy theories surfaced online that the whale had been deliberately driven into the Baltic Sea and all had been staged by a cabal of scientists, authorities and environmental organisations.

From Barron's Apr. 23, 2026

Angry traders slammed Polymarket on social media, complaining that a cabal of big traders had skewed the resolution process.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 2, 2026

This is evidently what the investment cabal has done.

From MarketWatch Jan. 16, 2026

It seemed reasonable to assume that once Patel realized that there was no cabal running the bureau, he would be able to calm everyone down.

From Slate Dec. 16, 2025

They would turn their backs on her, her mother, the policemen, her brother, and go off with Robbie Turner to indulge some adult cabal.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

That Epstein’s crimes were confined to himself and a few enablers, chiefly Ghislaine Maxwell, was intolerable to influencers and politicos determined to attribute all bad things to the dark workings of cabals.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 11, 2026

We’ve also reached a point in the season at which previous groups of Traitors turned on each other for reasons similar to those that do in tyrannical cabals: mutual envy, paranoia and greed.

From Salon Jan. 28, 2026

“As soon as they heard that, a lot of cabals here in Hollywood, that’s all they needed to hear. It’s like, ‘OK, she must be destroyed.’

From Washington Times Oct. 3, 2019

To that simple plot line, Mr. Eco attached a labyrinthine series of deceptions, cabals and occult mysteries, including a lost work of Aristotle thought to be inspired by the Devil.

From Washington Post Feb. 20, 2016

Men muttered in small cabals or threatened one another by the fireside, cutting each other with their eyes and hissing, vaunting superiority in their familiarity with the Unseen.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

He intrigued in society and politics, was a practised duellist, and though he was not more than seven-or eight-and-twenty at Richelieu's death, had already caballed against him.

From A Short History of French Literature by George Saintsbury

He caballed with the very men to whom he had hitherto been most vehemently opposed for the sole object of expelling Lord Shelburne from office.

From The Constitutional History of England from 1760 to 1860 by Charles Duke Yonge

The bishops and champions of different parties caballed to draw over the emperor to their side, and thus aid them in crushing their adversaries.

From Ecce Homo! A Critical Inquiry into the History of Jesus of Nazareth: Being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels by Paul Henry Thiry Baron d' Holbach

Europe was fluttered, secret service money was poured out like water, diplomatists caballed and scribbled despatches, all for very little. 

From Pickle the Spy; Or, the Incognito of Prince Charles by Andrew Lang

He caballed with persecuted Papists and Puritans alike, and with various desperados.

From Sir Walter Ralegh A Biography by W. (William) Stebbing

Henry Kissinger happened to be visiting London at the time and witnessed the caballing against her.

From Newsweek Apr. 8, 2013

By dint of caballing, he succeeded in obtaining an open competition for the work in question; whoever chose, was at liberty to send in his picture, and the best would obtain the preference.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847 by Various

I suppose he was a caballing, bribing, intriguing politician, like others in that country, both black and white.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12) by Edmund Burke

Some months of caballing with our friends—even our Hielan' friends—in the France, left me with an unwholesome heart that would almost doubt my father in his grave.

From Doom Castle by Neil Munro

While Bolingbroke and his confederates were caballing and counselling, and paltering and drinking, the Whig statesmen were maturing their plans, and when the moment came for action it found them ready to act.

From A History of the Four Georges, Volume I by Justin McCarthy




Vocabulary lists containing cabal


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