connivance

or con·niv·ence

[ kuh-nahy-vuhns ]

noun

1. the act of conniving.
2. Law.
   1. tacit encouragement or assent (without participation) to wrongdoing by another.
   2. the consent by a person to a spouse's conduct, especially adultery, that is later made the basis of a divorce proceeding or other complaint.

connivance

/ kəˈnaɪvəns /

noun

1. the act or fact of conniving
2. law the tacit encouragement of or assent to another's wrongdoing, esp (formerly) of the petitioner in a divorce suit to the respondent's adultery

Other Words From

• noncon·nivance noun
• noncon·nivence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of connivance¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier connivence, from French or directly from Latin connīventia; connive, -ence, -ance

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, Russia called the upsurge in protests “connivance by Western politicians and European structures.”

From The Daily Beast

He fancied this would not have happened without her connivance, and she seemed graver than usual when he stood by her chair.

From Project Gutenberg

All our leaders would lose their heads if a single imprudent act allowed their connivance with the queen-mother to be seen.

From Project Gutenberg

The darkness was profound for a moment: the lightnings paused—a sort of sinister connivance.

From Project Gutenberg

With the connivance of a corrupt police force, Tim can even ruin him on a trumped-up charge.

From Project Gutenberg

The current belief was that his preferment was disgrace for connivance at communications between him and Cobham.

From Project Gutenberg