conspirator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conspirator" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who is involved in a conspiracy or secret plan, often for illegal or harmful purposes. Example: "The police arrested several conspirators who were plotting to commit a robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Mr Waters said the court would hear details about another conspirator, Momin Khawaja, currently awaiting trial in Canada, who had a "vital role" in this plot.

The Guardian

Most extraordinary in a 164-page indictment is an alleged $10m payment transferred by Fifa to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) accounts that Warner controlled, in return for Warner, Chuck Blazer and an unnamed third Fifa exco "conspirator" voting for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is a Scientologist and that's fine and there are people who are Catholics and I have differences with what they think," said Izzard, who plays another conspirator.

The Guardian - Film

But it emerged that he had been confused with Abdulazziz Alomari, a suspected conspirator with an almost identical name.Investigators believe that about 50 terrorists were directly involved in the attack.

The Economist

A fuller investigation has been launched.It is not the first time the central bank is painted as a conspirator in financial fiddling or at least a tolerator of it.

The Economist

The "Alcatraz of the Rockies" holds more than 30 terrorists, including Zacarias Moussaoui, a 9/11 conspirator, and Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He still has the photograph Lemmon signed for him as a child, and it was Pacino who gave him his first big break in the movies in Glengarry Glenross and later invited him to be his co-conspirator in the Shakespeare documentary Looking for Richard.

The Guardian - Film

Sardar's fingerprints were not on the device that killed Johnson but all four bombs bore those of his co-conspirator, Sajjad Adnan.

The Guardian

The prosecution has side-stepped damaging evidence that Mr McVeigh was accompanied by a co-conspirator, the elusive John Doe II.

The Economist

An unindicted co-conspirator can be indicted at any moment; his lawyer will therefore usually advise him, at the very least, not to annoy the prosecutor by helping the defence.In 2009 James Treacy, a former executive of Monster Worldwide, an employment website, was convicted of illegally manipulating (or "backdating") stock options and handed a two-year sentence.

The Economist

In what would now be called a moment of male bonding the renegade bank clerk, Henry Holland (played by Alec Guinness), tenderly asks his co-conspirator, "May I call you Alfred?"That surname code had governed social intercourse in the English-speaking world for centuries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events or legal cases, ensure you have accurate evidence to support the claim that someone is a "conspirator". Avoid using the term loosely without proper justification.

Common error

Do not use "conspirator" to describe someone who simply disagrees with a particular policy or viewpoint. The term implies active participation in a secret and often illegal plan.

Linguistic Context

The word "conspirator" functions primarily as a noun, designating an individual who participates in a conspiracy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and indicates that it is often found in contexts discussing crime, politics, and historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "conspirator" is a noun used to describe someone involved in a secret and often illegal plan. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in news and encyclopedic contexts. While synonyms like "plotter" or "schemer" exist, "conspirator" specifically emphasizes participation in a conspiracy. When using the term, ensure accurate evidence supports the claim to avoid mischaracterization. Its prevalent use in authoritative sources like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica confirms its place as a standard term for describing participants in conspiracies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

co-conspirator

Specifically denotes someone who conspires with others.

fellow conspirator

Indicates a partner in a conspiracy.

plotter

Focuses on the act of plotting or planning a secret scheme.

schemer

Emphasizes the manipulative and cunning aspects of planning.

intriguer

Highlights involvement in complex and secret dealings.

cabalist

Suggests membership in a secret political faction or cabal.

colluder

Implies secret cooperation, often for illegal or unethical purposes.

machinator

Stresses the artful and often deceitful planning of schemes.

accessory

Refers to someone who assists in a crime, though not necessarily in the planning stage.

insurrectionist

Specifically refers to someone who participates in an uprising or rebellion.

FAQs

How is "conspirator" used in legal contexts?

In law, a "conspirator" is someone who participates in a conspiracy, an agreement between two or more people to commit an illegal act. The prosecution must prove that the defendant knowingly joined the agreement and intended to achieve its unlawful goal.

What's the difference between a "conspirator" and an accomplice?

A "conspirator" is involved in planning an illegal act, while an accomplice assists in the commission of the act. One can be both, but the roles are distinct.

What are some synonyms for "conspirator"?

Alternatives to "conspirator" include "plotter", "schemer", "intriguer", or "colluder", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it accurate to describe someone as a "conspirator" if they unknowingly participate in a conspiracy?

No, the term "conspirator" implies intentional involvement in a secret and unlawful agreement. Unknowingly participating in a conspiracy would not qualify someone as a "conspirator".