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collude

verb
col·​lude | \ kə-ˈlüd How to pronounce collude (audio) \
colluded; colluding; colludes

Definition of collude

intransitive verb

: to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest : conspire, plot It was arithmetically possible, too, for a handful of senators … to collude with the president to approve a treaty betraying some vital interest to a foreign power.— Jack N. Rakove … the travails of the world's two biggest art-auction businesses, … rivals that now stand accused by the U.S. Justice Department of colluding to rig the auction market by fixing their sales-commission rates.— Robert Hughes … argues that while the kids are not entitled to collective representation, major universities are permitted to collude to prevent players from being paid for their work.— David Sirota
Synonyms Collude Has Latin Roots More Example Sentences Learn More about collude

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Collude Has Latin Roots

Our English "lude" words (allude, collude, delude, elude, and prelude) are based on the Latin verb ludere, meaning "to play." Collude dates back to 1525 and combines ludere and the prefix col-, meaning "with" or "together." The verb is younger than the related noun collusion, which appeared sometime in the 14th century with the specific meaning "secret agreement or cooperation." Despite their playful history, collude and collusion have always suggested deceit or trickery rather than good-natured fun.

Examples of collude in a Sentence

The two companies had colluded to fix prices. accused of colluding to block the sale of the vacant land

Recent Examples on the Web

 Politicians, health officials, and researchers have been accused of colluding with the company to rush the product to the market—and some parents have filed lawsuits, alleging that Dengvaxia led to the deaths of their children. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "Critics ‘alarmed by lack of interest’ in studying children put at risk by dengue vaccine," 4 Sep. 2019 The country’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, suggested that the authorities may have colluded. — The Economist, "Politics this week," 29 Aug. 2019 Americans were told that the president was a traitor who had colluded with Vladimir Putin to subvert U.S. democracy. — Marc A. Thiessen, The Mercury News, "Thiessen: Mueller’s testimony is good news for Trump and Pelosi," 25 July 2019 A week before the ceremony, The Daily Mail reported that Thomas Markle had colluded with a photographer to stage seemingly candid pictures. — Ellen Barry, BostonGlobe.com, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed, and a new era dawns in Britain," 19 May 2018 Is President Trump capable of having colluded with the Russians? — Paul Thornton, latimes.com, "Finally, a moment of Republican sanity on guns," 24 Feb. 2018 In The Godfather: Part II, a frustrated Fredo tries to make a power play by colluding with Johnny Ola (a rival gangster) and winds up inadvertently giving him information that helps Ola’s plot to off Michael. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "CNN’s Chris Cuomo said “Fredo” is like “the n-word” for Italians. It’s … not.," 13 Aug. 2019 And Democrats scream for impeachment while refusing to abandon their precious yet discredited theory that Trump colluded with Russia, even while ranting hysterically over the president’s attempts to control the porous southern border with Mexico. — John Kass, Twin Cities, "John Kass: A.G. Bill Barr must find true reasons for Trump/Russia probe," 27 June 2019 Police arrived on the scene 39 minutes later and are accused of condoning the violence and colluding with the attackers, which police flatly deny. — Washington Post, "Hong Kong protesters hold multiple rallies, paralyzing city neighborhoods ahead of a planned general strike," 4 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'collude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of collude

1525, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for collude

Latin colludere, from com- + ludere to play, from ludus game — more at ludicrous

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More Definitions for collude

collude

verb
How to pronounce collude (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of collude

: to work with others secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest

See the full definition for collude in the English Language Learners Dictionary

collude

intransitive verb
col·​lude | \ kə-ˈlüd How to pronounce collude (audio) \
colluded; colluding

Legal Definition of collude

: to agree or cooperate secretly for a fraudulent or otherwise illegal purpose

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More from Merriam-Webster on collude

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with collude

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for collude

Nglish: Translation of collude for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of collude for Arabic Speakers

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