What does conspiratory mean?
"Conspiratory" is an adjective describing something that relates to, resembles, or involves a conspiracy — a secret plan made by two or more people to do something unlawful or harmful. It can describe concrete things, such as a "conspiratory plot" or "conspiratory meeting," as well as behaviors and mannerisms that suggest covert collusion, such as a "conspiratory glance," "whisper," or "tone." In this second use it overlaps closely with "conspiratorial," which is by far the more frequent form in contemporary English; writers who choose "conspiratory" are usually opting for a slightly more formal or literary register. The word carries an unmistakably negative connotation, evoking secrecy, deceit, and illicit collaboration, though it can also be used lightly or humorously to describe playful complicity between friends. It derives from the Latin verb "conspirare," meaning "to breathe together" — an image of plotters sharing the same air — via "conspiratio," the Latin noun behind English "conspiracy."
adjectiveRelating to, characteristic of, or involving a conspiracy or conspirators; marked by secretive plotting between people.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of a conspiracy or of conspirators.
- (Of a manner, glance, tone, etc.) suggestive of secret plotting or shared complicity.
"The two executives exchanged conspiratory glances before the merger was announced."
"Historians have long debated whether the conspiratory network extended beyond the palace walls."
"She lowered her voice to a conspiratory murmur and slid the envelope across the table."
'Conspiratory' and its popular cousin 'conspiratorial' both trace back to the Latin for 'to breathe together' — because ancient plotters literally had to share the same air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conspiratory
"Conspiratory" derives from the Latin verb "conspirare," formed from "con-" (together) and "spirare" (to breathe), originally meaning to breathe or act in unison, and later to plot secretly together. It entered English through the noun "conspiracy" (from Latin "conspiratio") and took the adjectival suffix "-ory." Its sibling form "conspiratorial" arose later and has largely displaced it in everyday usage. The same Latin root "spirare" gives English a whole family of words about breathing and influence, including "respire," "inspire," and "expire."
Related word forms
How conspiratory is actually used
Far less common than 'conspiratorial', which is generally the preferred adjective in modern usage; 'conspiratory' tends to appear in formal or literary contexts and is entirely standard but stylistically rarer. It carries an inherently suspicious, underhanded connotation.
Easily confused with conspiratory
Both adjectives relate to conspiracy, but 'conspiratorial' is far more common and typically describes the manner or demeanor of someone involved in plotting (a conspiratorial whisper), while 'conspiratory' is a rarer variant often used more neutrally to mean simply 'of or relating to a conspiracy'.