What does connivingly mean?
Connivingly is an adverb meaning in a conniving manner: with deliberate craft, usually by devising or pursuing schemes that advantage the actor while harming or deceiving others. Its force often lies in the implication that the behavior is covert, manipulative, and ethically suspect. A writer might say that a committee connivingly altered the criteria to favor one candidate, while a narrator might describe a character who connivingly withheld information until the outcome was decided. The word is related to connive, conniver, and connivance, but is more openly negative than a neutral description of strategic action. It is most natural in literary, political, legal, and analytical prose, where the author’s judgment is important. In ordinary conversation, craftily, cunningly, or schemingly may sound less formal. Connivingly differs subtly from cunningly: the former usually suggests plotting, collusion, or deliberate obstruction, whereas the latter can indicate a broad capacity for deceptive cleverness. Because it identifies not merely a clever method but a manner marked by bad intent, connivingly is useful when both the strategy and its morally dubious character should be emphasized.
adverbIn a conniving manner, especially with deceptive, manipulative, or conspiratorial intent.
- With crafty and conspiratorial intent, especially through deceptive planning or secret maneuvering.
"The rivals connivingly redirected the investigation away from their own financial records."
"She connivingly withheld the report until the negotiations were effectively complete."
"The committee connivingly changed the criteria so that only one candidate could qualify."
Behind “connivingly” lies an older word about closing one eye—a fitting origin for schemes that hide in plain sight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does connivingly come from?
Connivingly was formed as an adverb from conniving, which is derived from the English verb connive. Connive comes from Latin connīvere, originally meaning “to close the eyes” or “to wink,” and it later acquired senses associated with pretending not to see something and scheming. The English word family dates from the early modern period and developed its modern sense of conspiring or plotting.
How connivingly is actually used
Generally literary, formal, and strongly negative. It is especially common in political, legal, and analytical prose, where it emphasizes both manipulative behavior and its ethically dubious purpose.
Easily confused with connivingly
Cunningly describes crafty or deceptive behavior in general, whereas connivingly more specifically suggests plotting, collusion, or deliberate obstruction.