What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conspired
Example
The two employees conspired to steal company secrets. [conspired: verb]
Example
The group of robbers conspired to rob the bank. [conspired: past tense]
collude
Example
The two politicians colluded to rig the election. [colluded: verb]
Example
The companies colluded to fix prices and reduce competition. [colluded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Conspire is less common than collude in everyday language. Conspire is often used in legal contexts, while collude is more commonly used in business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conspired and collude?
Both conspire and collude are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts. However, conspire may be considered more formal due to its association with legal language and criminal activity.
