cabal

UK: /kəˈbæl/ US: /kəˈbæl/ ,(kə bal′)

Inflections of 'cabal' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

cabals

v 3rd person singular

caballing

v pres p

caballed

v past

caballed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ca•bal /kəˈbæl/   n. [countable]

1. Government a small group of secret plotters:
   The cabal met to plan an attack upon the government.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ca•bal  (kə bal′), n., v., -balled, -bal•ling. 
n. 

1. Government a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority.
2. Government the plots and schemes of such a group;
   intrigue.
3. a clique, as in artistic, literary, or theatrical circles.

v.i. 

4. Government to form a cabal;
   intrigue;
   conspire;
   plot.

• Medieval Latin cabbala. See cabala
• earlier cabbal 1610–20, for an earlier sense

ca•bal′ler, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. junta, faction, band, league, ring.
• 2. See conspiracy. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cabal / kəˈbæl/ noun

1. a small group of intriguers, esp one formed for political purposes
2. a secret plot, esp a political one; conspiracy; intrigue
3. a secret or exclusive set of people; clique

verb ( -bals, -balling, -balled)(intransitive)

1. to form a cabal; conspire; plot

Etymology: 17th Century: from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see cabbala