Definition

1. Noun:

   • A secret political clique or faction: A small group of people who work together secretly, especially to plan political actions or gain power.
   • A secret plot or conspiracy: A scheme or plan made by such a group, often for a harmful or illegal purpose.

2. Verb:

   • To form a cabal; to conspire: To engage in secret plotting or scheming as part of a small group.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (as a group):

  • The minister was accused of being part of a powerful cabal within the government.
  • The decision was made not by the full committee, but by a secretive cabal of senior members.

• Noun (as a plot):

  • Historians debate whether the king's death was an accident or the result of a cabal.
  • The revolution was preceded by a long-running cabal against the ruling dynasty.

• Verb:

  • The disgruntled generals caballed in private meetings for months before attempting the coup.
  • Factions within the party began to cabal against the newly elected leader.

Advanced Usage and Nuance

• The word often carries a strong negative connotation, implying secrecy, intrigue, and the pursuit of power for selfish or sinister ends.
• It is frequently used in historical or political contexts to describe behind-the-scenes power struggles.
• "To be in cabal with (someone)": To be secretly allied with someone for a conspiratorial purpose.
  • The ambassador was suspected of being in cabal with foreign agents.

Variants and Related Words

• Cabalist (noun): A member of a cabal; a conspirator.
  • The old regime was toppled by a handful of cabalists.
• Cabalism (noun): The principles or practices of a cabal; secret intrigue.
  • The atmosphere in the capital was thick with suspicion and cabalism.

Synonyms

• Clique (noun): A small, exclusive group of people with shared interests. (Less secretive or conspiratorial than ).
• Faction (noun): A small, organized dissenting group within a larger one.
• Conspiracy (noun): A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. (Often interchangeable with the "plot" sense of ).
• Junto (noun): A political clique or faction. (Archaic, similar to ).

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• To form a cabal: To create a secret group for plotting.
  • Dissidents formed a cabal to oppose the dictator's policies.
• To uncover a cabal: To discover the existence of a secret plot or group.
  • The journalist's investigation helped uncover a cabal at the highest levels of the corporation.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• A cabal of...: Used to specify the nature or membership of the secret group.
  • The reform was blocked by a cabal of traditionalists.
• Cabal and intrigue: A phrase emphasizing secretive and scheming political activity.
  • The court was a world of cabal and intrigue.

Noun

1. a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
2. a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

Verb

1. engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
   • They conspired to overthrow the government