What does cabal mean?
A cabal is a small, tightly knit group of people who conspire secretly to advance their own interests or seize influence, usually at the expense of others. The term is most often applied to politics, where it suggests that real decisions are being made by an unaccountable inner circle rather than through open, legitimate processes. Because it implies secrecy and self-serving intrigue, cabal almost always carries a negative connotation and is commonly used in journalism, history, and political rhetoric to criticize rival factions. The word entered English in the early 17th century from the French cabale, which traces back through medieval Latin cabbala to the Hebrew qabbalah, meaning 'received tradition' — the mystical Jewish teachings. Its association with conspiracy was cemented in England when a group of ministers notorious for intrigue happened to have initials spelling CABAL. Related forms include the adjective cabalistic and the noun cabalism.
A small group of persons joined in a close, usually secret, intrigue or conspiracy, especially for political purposes.
"The treaty was negotiated by a cabal within the foreign ministry, bypassing the cabinet entirely."
Almost always derogatory; implies illegitimate or covert exercise of power.
A secret plot or scheme, especially one hatched by such a group (a less common sense).
"Parliament uncovered a cabal aimed at deposing the young king."
Regular plural. Often used in the plural when discussing rival power groups across history or institutions.
"The court was riven by competing cabals, each vying for the queen's favor."
In 17th-century England, five ministers whose initials spelled CABAL — Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale — gave the word its conspiratorial reputation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cabal
Cabal entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from the French cabale, which itself derives from the medieval Latin cabbala. That Latin form came from the Hebrew qabbalah, meaning 'tradition' or 'received teaching', originally referring to Jewish mysticism. Over time the word shifted from describing esoteric knowledge to describing secretive political groups. A memorable boost to this meaning came in 17th-century England, when five ministers known for intrigue — Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale — had initials that together spelled CABAL. Cognate borrowings from the same Hebrew root include cable (via Old North French) and kabbalah, though these now denote entirely different things.
Related word forms
How cabal is actually used
Cabal carries strongly negative connotations, implying secrecy, self-interest, and underhanded manipulation. It is common in political journalism and commentary and is often used pejoratively against opponents' inner circles. It is more formal in register than words like 'clique' and is frequently invoked in discussions of government, corporations, and elite institutions.
Easily confused with cabal
Cable is a thick rope or a system of wires for transmitting signals, while cabal is a secret political clique — the two share a distant Hebrew root via French but mean entirely different things.
Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish mystical tradition, whereas cabal is a secret scheming group; both derive from the same Hebrew root but have unrelated modern meanings.