What does conspiring mean?
Conspiring is the present participle and gerund of the verb 'conspire', meaning to join with others in a secret plan — typically one that is unlawful, treacherous, or harmful. It most often describes people plotting together, as in rebels conspiring to overthrow a government or companies conspiring to fix prices, and it frequently appears in legal and journalistic contexts. The word can also be used figuratively for impersonal forces that seem to work together toward an outcome, as when bad weather and bad luck are said to have been 'conspiring' against a traveler; this extended sense is neutral rather than sinister. Derived from Latin roots literally meaning 'to breathe together', the word carries vivid connotations of secrecy, collusion, and hidden intent, making it especially useful for describing coordinated action undertaken away from public view.
The action or practice of plotting secretly with others to do something unlawful or harmful.
"Their conspiring was uncovered only after months of investigation."
Present participle of 'conspire': to make secret plans jointly, or to combine so as to bring about a result.
"They were conspiring to undermine the negotiations."
The word 'conspire' literally means 'to breathe together' — ancient Romans believed a plot required its plotters to share the very same air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conspiring
Conspiring derives ultimately from the Latin verb 'conspirare', formed from 'con-' ('together') and 'spirare' ('to breathe'), originally meaning to breathe or act in unison. English adopted 'conspire' in the late Middle Ages via Old French, where it had already taken on the sense of plotting secretly. The same Latin root 'spirare' gives English a whole family of words, including 'inspire', 'expire', 'respire', and 'transpire'.
Related word forms
How conspiring is actually used
'Conspiring' carries a strong connotation of secrecy and wrongdoing when applied to people, so it should be used carefully; the figurative sense involving impersonal forces (luck, circumstances) is neutral and common in everyday speech. It is slightly formal but appears freely in journalism, legal writing, and literature.