adj

conniving

kuh-NEYE-vihng

adj

Scheming or plotting deceitfully to get what one wants.

"Her conniving business partner had been secretly siphoning off profits for years."

How to Use Conniving

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSneaky and manipulative — plotting behind people's backs.

Common pairings

a conniving scheme conniving and manipulative

more conniving comparative, most conniving superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ business partner had been secretly siphoning off profits for years.

From "connive," meaning to secretly cooperate in wrongdoing, ultimately from Latin "connivere," "to close the eyes to."

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