conniving

UK: /kəˈnaɪvɪŋ/

From the verb connive: (⇒ conjugate)

conniving is: ⓘ

v pres p

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

con•nive /kəˈnaɪv/   v., -nived, -niv•ing. 

1. • to cooperate or work together secretly, esp. for something wrong or illegal: [~ (+ with + object) + to + verb (+ object)]
     He connived with his friends to get the job.
   • [~ + object] to make (one's way) by scheming or plotting:
     She connived her way into power.
2. [~ + at + object] to avoid noticing something one is expected to oppose or condemn.

con•niv•er, n. [countable]
con•niv•ing, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•nive  (kə nīv′), v.i., -nived, -niv•ing. 

1. to cooperate secretly;
   conspire (often fol. by with):
   They connived to take over the business.
2. to avoid noticing something that one is expected to oppose or condemn;
   give aid to wrongdoing by forbearing to act or speak (usually fol. by at):
   The policeman connived at traffic violations.
3. to be indulgent toward something others oppose or criticize (usually fol. by at):
   to connive at childlike exaggerations.

• Latin co(n)nīvēre to close the eyes in sleep, turn a blind eye, equivalent. to con- con- + -nīvēre, akin to nictāre to blink (compare nictitate)
• French conniver)
• (1595–1605

con•niv′er, n. 
con•niv′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. plan, plot, collude.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

connive / kəˈnaɪv/ verb (intransitive)

1. to plot together, esp secretly; conspire
2. (followed by at) to give assent or encouragement (to the commission of a wrong)

Etymology: 17th Century: from French conniver, from Latin connīvēre to blink, hence, leave uncensured; -nīvēre related to nictāre to wink

conˈniver noun