Definition

The act of secretly allowing or ignoring something wrong or illegal to happen, often by not taking action against it.

Example

The manager's connivance in the fraud scandal shocked everyone in the company.

Conversation

Did you hear about the incident at the office yesterday?

Yeah, it seems there was some connivance involved.

I can't believe it; I thought everyone was honest there.

Me too, but it looks like some people were turning a blind eye.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Connivance → It is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "nivere" (meaning to close or shut). The word refers to the act of secretly allowing something to happen, as if closing one's eyes to it together with others.

Memory Tip

Think of people 'together' ('con-') 'shutting their eyes' ('nivere') to something wrong — that's why connivance means secretly allowing something to happen.

Visually Confused Words