conspiracy theory
noun
plural conspiracy theories
: a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators
the conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's assassination
also
: a theory asserting that a secret of great importance is being kept from the public
… is best known for … his conspiracy theory that a secret cabal of reptilian humanoids is running the world. —
Simon Little
Simon Little … has often been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories such as "birtherism," the theory that President Obama was not born in the U.S. —Grace Segers
Grace Segers Examples of conspiracy theory in a Sentence
Conspiracy theories sprung up soon after the leader's assassination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tomlinson’s recent comments about the Larry shippers is a sobering reminder about the real-world impact of the celebrity rumor mill and the current public appetite for celebrity conspiracy theories.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
The focus of the lawsuit is a series of tweets that Musk made last summer that promoted a far-right conspiracy theory that falsely linked Brody to an Oregon brawl between the Proud Boys and a local neo-Nazi group.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
The cases prompted speculation and conspiracy theories for more than a decade.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024
The events have sparked rumors and conspiracy theories as the public tries to understand how or if they are connected.
—Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
California Fliers with ‘hate propaganda,’ conspiracy theories dumped on driveways in Fresno
March 1, 2024
In the video, the family is seen taking a bucket of chalk to draw over the swastikas.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
The raucous host gave a spotlight to conspiracy theories from NFL player Aaron Rodgers and spent time calling out Williamson for what McAfee said were leaks to media outlets about the ratings performance of his program.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
And there was the main character, Mr. Barreto, a California transplant with a knack for wild conspiracy theories.
—Matthew Haag, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Tangent Right-wing provocateurs have spread a string of conspiracy theories about the reason for the bridge collapse.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Meg Walters, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
The focus of the lawsuit is a series of tweets that Musk made last summer that promoted a far-right conspiracy theory that falsely linked Brody to an Oregon brawl between the Proud Boys and a local neo-Nazi group.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
The cases prompted speculation and conspiracy theories for more than a decade.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024
The events have sparked rumors and conspiracy theories as the public tries to understand how or if they are connected.
—Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
California Fliers with ‘hate propaganda,’ conspiracy theories dumped on driveways in Fresno
March 1, 2024
In the video, the family is seen taking a bucket of chalk to draw over the swastikas.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
The raucous host gave a spotlight to conspiracy theories from NFL player Aaron Rodgers and spent time calling out Williamson for what McAfee said were leaks to media outlets about the ratings performance of his program.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
And there was the main character, Mr. Barreto, a California transplant with a knack for wild conspiracy theories.
—Matthew Haag, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Tangent Right-wing provocateurs have spread a string of conspiracy theories about the reason for the bridge collapse.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conspiracy theory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Conspiracy theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspiracy%20theory. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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