collusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'collusion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to describe an agreement or secret cooperation to deceive or cheat someone or something, usually for an unlawful or unethical purpose. For example: "The two firms were found guilty of collusion to fix prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The SDLP accused Mr Adams of deploying the same argument as those who oppose an inquiry into allegations of security force collusion in the 1989 killing of solicitor Pat Finucane by loyalists.

The Guardian

Dolores Kelly, the SDLP's justice spokeswoman and a member of Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "This was the week when the former head of the Stevens inquiry team investigating collusion revealed at the Billy Wright inquiry that RUC Special Branch failed to let people know they were being targeted by loyalists, some of whom were subsequently shot dead.

The Guardian

The price he has secured, in collusion with a powerful grouping in the cabinet, is Gordon Brown's head – though not yet.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was quick to thank his compatriots for their gesture – though it has been unkindly suggested that his tweets may have been an attempt to spin collusion into sportsmanship.

The Guardian - Sport

If Tim Montgomerie's pre-speech summary on ConservativeHome is correct – it often is – then Cameron is going further with a triple whammy against automatic access to benefits and to social housing, as well as Cleggish-fines for employers who avert their gaze: not easily done because both employer and worker stand to benefit from collusion.

The Guardian

"How do we know that there is no collusion?

The Guardian - Sport

They were shown evidence of collusion with traders at JP Morgan Chase, Royal Bank of Scotland, Hayes' own bank UBS, as well as two brokerage firms, which in turn applied pressure to other banks including France's Société Générale.

The Guardian - Business

The Kerr murder has again raised the spectre of collusion between the security forces and agents belonging to paramilitary organisations who commit crimes while on the state's payroll.

The Guardian

Yet it is hard to find residents who share the government's apparent surprise at the level of collusion in their city.

The Guardian

The rules against collusion seem like a hangover from 1903, straight out of the Henri Desgrange playbook and his detestation of any collaboration at all between riders.

The Guardian - Sport

All Tunisians knew that the fall of Ben Ali was not only because of the ideological sterility of his government, but also because his large-scale pillaging of the country in collusion with the Trabelsis was about to be exposed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "collusion", clearly specify the parties involved and the illegal or unethical purpose of their agreement to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "collusion" when simply referring to teamwork or cooperation. "Collusion" always implies a secret and often illegal agreement. Use words like "collaboration" or "cooperation" when the context involves ethical partnerships.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "collusion" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a secret agreement or conspiracy for illegal purposes, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collusion" functions as a noun, denoting a secret and often illegal agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing. The phrase is very common, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Usage implies accusation or description of unethical activities. To ensure clarity, always specify involved parties and illicit purposes. Avoid its misuse as mere cooperation. Related phrases include "fraudulent conspiracy" or "secret agreement". "Collusion" holds a prominent place in formal discourse, especially when addressing complex and potentially unlawful situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegal connivance

Directly states the illegality and implies active encouragement or assistance in wrongdoing, which is a component of "collusion".

fraudulent conspiracy

More explicitly labels the agreement as deceitful, specifying the fraudulent intent that is often implied but not always present in "collusion".

conspiratorial agreement

Stresses that the agreement is part of a conspiracy, clarifying the presence of coordinated illicit intent which is a key aspect of "collusion".

nefarious scheme

Emphasizes the wickedness of the plan, intensifying the negative connotations compared to the more neutral term "collusion".

secret agreement

Focuses on the agreement being hidden, removing the implication of illegality or deceit inherent in "collusion".

underhanded dealing

Focuses on the deceitful manner in which business is conducted, which is a common context of "collusion".

secret understanding

Emphasizes a shared but unstated agreement, reducing the emphasis on potentially unlawful intent.

clandestine pact

Underscores the secrecy of the agreement and formalizes the arrangement which makes it a pact, emphasizing a formal nature that might not be present in simple "collusion".

covert cooperation

Highlights the hidden aspect of working together, which might not necessarily be illegal, unlike "collusion".

backroom deal

Highlights the secrecy and informality of the agreement and reduces emphasis on any illegal component of "collusion".

FAQs

How is "collusion" typically used in a sentence?

"Collusion" is often used to describe secret agreements between parties to deceive others or gain an unfair advantage. For instance, "The investigation revealed "collusion" between the companies to fix prices".

What's the difference between "collusion" and "conspiracy"?

"Collusion" often implies secret cooperation or deceit, while "conspiracy" refers more broadly to a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. The terms are very similar and sometimes interchangeable, but "collusion" emphasizes cooperation.

What are some alternatives to using the word "collusion"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "connivance", "fraudulent conspiracy", or "secret agreement" to describe similar situations.

Is "collusion" a formal or informal term?

"Collusion" is a term used in formal, legal, and news contexts to describe unethical or illegal agreements. It is a serious accusation and implies wrongdoing.