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connive

con·nive
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [kuh-nahyv]
    • /kəˈnaɪv/
    • /kəˈnaɪv/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kuh-nahyv]
    • /kəˈnaɪv/

Definitions of connive word

  • verb connive If one person connives with another to do something, they secretly try to achieve something which will benefit both of them. 3
  • verb connive If you say that someone connives at something or connives in something, you are critical of them because they allow or help it to happen even though they know that it is wrong and that they ought to prevent it. 3
  • verb connive to plot together, esp secretly; conspire 3
  • verb connive to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong) 3
  • intransitive verb connive to pretend not to see or look (at something wrong or evil), thus giving tacit consent or cooperation; feign ignorance of another's wrongdoing 3
  • intransitive verb connive to cooperate secretly (with someone), esp. in wrongdoing; conspire 3

Information block about the term

Origin of connive

First appearance:

before 1595
One of the 38% oldest English words
1595-1605; (< French conniver) < Latin co(n)nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equivalent to con- con- + -nīvēre, akin to nictāre to blink (cf. nictitate)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Connive

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

connive popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 75% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 64% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

connive usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for connive

verb connive

  • collude — If one person colludes with another, they co-operate with them secretly or illegally.
  • conspire — If two or more people or groups conspire to do something illegal or harmful, they make a secret agreement to do it.
  • operate — to work, perform, or function, as a machine does: This engine does not operate properly.
  • cabal — a secret or exclusive set of people; clique
  • devise — If you devise a plan, system, or machine, you have the idea for it and design it.

Antonyms for connive

verb connive

  • destroy — To destroy something means to cause so much damage to it that it is completely ruined or does not exist any more.

Top questions with connive

  • what does connive mean?

See also

Matching words

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