connive — to secretly allow or help bring about something wrong or illegal
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to secretly allow or help bring about something wrong or illegal
Pronunciation (IPA): /kəˈnaɪv/
Example Sentences
- The principal connived with students to organize a surprise party for the strict math teacher.
- She connived at her roommate's habit of eating her ice cream.
- The security guard was accused of conniving with the thieves.
connive
VERB[/kəˈnaɪv/]
to secretly allow or help bring about something wrong or illegal

The two managers connive to hide the missing funds before the audit begins.

Connive to help them arrive, so they survive!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'connivere' meaning 'to close one's eyes' or 'to wink at', composed of 'con-' (together) and 'nivere' (to blink or wink). The metaphorical sense of deliberately overlooking wrongdoing developed from the image of closing one's eyes to something.
Breakdown
con- (together, with) + -nive (from Latin nivere, to blink/wink) + -e (verb infinitive) = connive (to deliberately overlook or secretly allow something wrong)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The principal connived with students to organize a surprise party for the strict math teacher.”
“She connived at her roommate's habit of eating her ice cream.”
“The security guard was accused of conniving with the thieves.”
“Parents sometimes connive at their children's small lies to protect their feelings.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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