cabal

[ kuh-bawl, kuh-bal ]

noun

1. a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority.

   Synonyms: ring, league, band, faction, junta

2. the plots and schemes of such a group; intrigue.
3. a clique, as in artistic, literary, or theatrical circles.

verb (used without object)

, ca·balled, ca·bal·ling.

1. to form a cabal; intrigue; conspire; plot.

Cabal

¹

/ kəˈbæl /

noun

1. the Cabal
   English history a group of ministers of Charles II that governed from 1667–73: consisting of Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale

cabal

²

/ kəˈbæl /

noun

1. a small group of intriguers, esp one formed for political purposes
2. a secret plot, esp a political one; conspiracy; intrigue
3. a secret or exclusive set of people; clique

verb

1. to form a cabal; conspire; plot

Other Words From

• ca·bal·ler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cabal¹

First recorded in 1610–20, for an earlier sense; earlier cabbal, from Medieval Latin cabbala; kabbalah

Word History and Origins

Origin of cabal¹

see kabbalah ; by a coincidence, the initials of Charles II's ministers can be arranged to form this word

Origin of cabal²

C17: from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see cabbala

Synonym Study

See conspiracy.

Example Sentences

In 2022 she left the Democrat Party and initially registered as an independent - accusing her former party of being an “elitist cabal of warmongers” driven by "cowardly wokeness".

From BBC

In August, there was a brief flap when the Trump cabal, attempting to use Arlington Cemetery for partisan purposes, filmed a campaign ad amid the gravestones.

From Salon

He says the young men he is referring to are not part of some radical alt right, incel cabal.

From BBC

All together, they form a cabal armed with lifetime terms and capable of imposing reactionary policies on the American people long after Trump himself has shuffled off the stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Behind the stage set of reality is a secret cabal of malevolent actors whose evil motives drive the world's seemingly random or explainable events.

From Salon