in collusion with

USAGE SUMMARY

"in collusion with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two or more individuals or groups have a secret agreement to do something illegal or unethical. For example: The company was found to have been engaged in fraudulent activities, in collusion with its supplier.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The mayor has accused the newspaper of obtaining the text messages illegally and being "in collusion with whomever to bring people down".

The New York Times

Then he launched into a narrative of how police officers worked in collusion with the drug syndicates.

Vice

They are in collusion with the rebels.

The New York Times

It also implied they had been unveiled in collusion with the political opposition.

The Economist

Are you afraid that somebody will think that you were in collusion with us?

The New York Times

Detractors of the P.Y.D. accuse it of working in collusion with the Syrian government.

The New York Times

Or was he secretly in collusion with the right-wing paramilitaries all along?

The Economist

The family believed it to be a murder perpetrated by the police in collusion with other jail inmates.

The New York Times

Bond also finds him in collusion with Chinese agents on a major secret plan referred to as Operation Grand Slam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No matter: most Shias assume that the Baathists in collusion with Sunni extremists from al-Qaeda were involved.

The Economist

They have worked in collusion with The Guardian, consistently leaking details of the Committee's intentions and deliberations to that newspaper".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in collusion with", ensure the context clearly indicates a clandestine or unethical agreement. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "in collusion with" when simply describing cooperation. This phrase implies deceit and should not be used when a neutral term like "in cooperation with" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in collusion with" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating a secret or illegal cooperation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes scenarios where individuals or groups secretly conspire. Ludwig examples show this in various contexts, from political intrigue to corporate fraud.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in collusion with" is a prepositional phrase used to describe secret and often illicit cooperation between parties. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it strongly suggests unethical or illegal agreements. Commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias and even science, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, remember that it carries a significant negative connotation and should be reserved for situations where wrongdoing is suspected. Related phrases include "in conspiracy with" and "in cahoots with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in conspiracy with

Focuses specifically on secret, unlawful agreements.

in connivance with

Highlights tacit approval or secret consent to wrongdoing.

hand in glove with

Highlights a close and often suspicious relationship.

in cahoots with

An informal way of saying in collusion.

in league with

Suggests a formal or informal agreement for a common purpose, often secretive.

in partnership with

Emphasizes a cooperative relationship, possibly concealing illicit activities.

acting in concert with

Suggests coordinated actions, sometimes hinting at an unspoken agreement.

working alongside

Implies cooperation, but can be less accusatory than "in collusion with".

in cooperation with

Implies a formal or informal collaboration, potentially masking improper motives.

in collaboration with

Focuses on the joint effort, downplaying any negative implications.

FAQs

How can I use "in collusion with" in a sentence?

Use "in collusion with" to describe situations where two or more parties are secretly cooperating to achieve an illegal or unethical goal. For instance, "The company was accused of acting "in collusion with" its suppliers to inflate prices."

What phrases are similar to "in collusion with"?

Similar phrases include "in conspiracy with", "in cahoots with", or "in league with". Each carries a slightly different nuance, but all suggest a secret agreement.

What's the difference between "in collusion with" and "in cooperation with"?

"In cooperation with" implies open and legitimate assistance, while "in collusion with" suggests a secret and often illegal agreement. The former is neutral, while the latter is negative.

Is "in collusion with" a formal or informal expression?

"In collusion with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its negative connotation makes it more common in investigative reporting, legal documents, and serious discussions. The more informal alternative would be "in cahoots with".