colluding

American  

[kuh-loo-ding] / kəˈlu dɪŋ /

adjective

1. working together secretively with fraudulent or harmful intent.

   If the colluding witnesses have not agreed on the details being asked about, each witness will invent something.

   By acting like a monopoly, the colluding firms can set a monopoly price and generate monopoly profits.

---

noun

1. the act or process of working together secretively with fraudulent or harmful intent.

   Both agencies took pains to be subtle and not make the colluding too obvious.

Etymology

Origin of colluding

First recorded in 1605–15; collud(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; collud(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

They have been accused of colluding with Matlala, who has also been charged.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

With an attorney on the plaintiffs’ side of the lawsuit colluding with the city’s team, the city could settle the claims on favorable terms.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

My remarks moved an apoplectic plaintiff’s lawyer to point across the room at his opposing counsel, leer in my direction, and ask, “So are you accusing me of colluding with him?”

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Tesla sued Anderson, accusing him of taking proprietary documents and improperly colluding to recruit Autopilot employees to work at Aurora.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

“I do not know her story, except that she was obviously colluding with our enemies. I have never met many of the dark beings who lurk in the inhospitable corners of Fablehaven.”

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull