Conspiracy theory definition for englishlanguage learners from. The focus of this book is on logical fallacies, which loosely defined, are simply errors in reasoning. View american english definition of conspiracy theory. But to describe a lengthy clip of video featuring a man bragging about. The dictionary by merriamwebster is americas most trusted online dictionary for english word definitions, meanings, and pronunciation.
More specifically, the dictionary adds, its a belief that some covert but influential agency typically political in motivation and oppressive in intent is. Discover the best 104673010 conspiracy theories in best sellers. Definition of conspiracy theory written for english language learners from the merriam webster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. Although there is no universal agreement on the exact criteria, and both traditional and more recent proposals are sometimes debated, many but not all scholars consider conspiracy theories to be false by definition. Conspiracy theorists synonyms, conspiracy theorists pronunciation, conspiracy theorists translation, english dictionary definition of conspiracy theorists. Conspiracy and conspiracy theory definitions welcome to the. Feb 23, 2020 derogatory one who believes in, follows, or advances a conspiracy theory. According to the merriamwebster dictionary, the official definition of conspiracy theory is a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators. Conspiracy theory, an attempt to explain harmful or tragic events as the result of the actions of a small, powerful group.
There is no denying this when, by general definition, a conspiracy is a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal, merriam webster online dictionary, n. I hope you realize that your political bias is now obvious to everyone. A theory that explains an event or situation as the result of a secret plan by usually powerful people or groups. Even if you dont know off the top of your head, youd think the answer would be more or less forthcoming. While the idea of conspiracy theories is one that has been with us for. Merriam webster defines a conspiracy theory as a theory that explains an event or situation as the result of a secret plan by usually powerful people or groups, while wikipedia defines conspiracy theory as a 1997 american action thriller film directed by richard donner. The word conspire is defined by merriam webster as to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or. But when you hear conspiracy theory you will probably think of aliens or something when in reality a theory about who robbed the bank is a conspiracy theory. Conspiracy theory definition and meaning collins english. Conspiracy theory definition, a theory that rejects the standard explanation for an event and instead credits a covert group or organization with carrying out a secret plot. You can complete the list of synonyms of conspiracy theories given by the english thesaurus dictionary with other english dictionaries.
Regardless, my version of the lead section is based on both the merriam webster dictionary s definition of the term conspiracy theory and the work of scholars who have studied the phenonemon of conspiracy theories. The famous events that took place in the united states on september 11, 2001 were a conspiracy. Definition of theory written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and. One popular conspiracy theory accuses environmentalists of sabotage in last years mine collapse. Websters dictionary 1828 websters dictionary 1828 conspiracy. Theory definition for englishlanguage learners from. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. You can complete the definition of conspiracy theory given by the english definition dictionary with other english dictionaries. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. This is wikipedias definition of conspiracy theory. In 1979, the new republic again used the term, this time in attacking president jimmy carters. Of course, your other option is to just drink the koolaid, play along as if your facility is going to back you up when you quote parses theory that just sitting in silence with a patient, being.
English to english translation of conspiracy a combination of two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, orto commit a lawful act by unlawful means. In his book the united states of paranoia, jesse walker describes how. What is the origin of the terms conspiracy theory and conspiracy theorist. The psychological effects of conspiracy theories 1166. Theory in science stephen hawking, a brief history of time new york.
Fbi document warns conspiracy theories are a new domestic terrorism threat the new focus on conspiracy theorists appears to fall under the broader category of antigovernment extremism. A conspiracy theory according to merriam webster is the following. Conspiracy definition of conspiracy by websters online. However, the term has been defined in other ways, such as s. Merriam webster s collegiate dictionary 837 11th ed. The government twisted the definition of conspiracy theory the first definition of a conspiracy by merriamwebster is the act of conspiring together. Conspiracy definition of conspiracy by merriamwebster.
You can complete the definition of conspiracy theories given by the english definition dictionary with other english dictionaries. Cass sunstein is a powerful obama administration insider whose new book. Jan 24, 2020 conspiracy theory 22 january 2020 paranoia. A hoax is a falsehood deliberately fabricated to masquerade as the truth. The definitions of a conspiracy, a conspiracy theory and. The government twisted the definition of conspiracy theory. See, for example, the black book of communism, part ii word. Definition of conspiracy theory written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage. Webster s has now sanctioned truthiness with two definitions. Conspiracy theory simple english wikipedia, the free.
Many conspiracy theories say that certain historical events were actually caused by such conspirators. Faith, fact, and the conspiracies behind them 1576 words 7 pages the definition of a conspiracy theory, according to merriam webster s dictionary is, a secret plot that is largely unknown to the general public webster 84. This remains a powerful tactic though, due to the extremely negative connotation of the term conspiracy theory, given to it by people who think its impossible that anyone would ever do something thats not good for us then cover it up, so insisting something is a conspiracy theory is still an alarmingly effective way of getting people to. Look up conspiracy theory at merriam webster look up conspiracy theory.
The merriam webster online dictionary defines conspiracy as a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal, so it is certainly appropriate for the clinton campaign and its corporate media cronies to paint such things as conspiracies, since per definition that is what they are. Look up conspiracy theory at merriam webster look up conspiracy theory at dictionary. The merriam webster dictionary seems to offer a more specific definition where it states that it is, a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators. Everyones a conspiracy theorist, whether they know it or not. The action of plotting or conspiring but, what does conspiracy. Conspiracy theory noun definition and synonyms macmillan.
Conspiracy theory definition of conspiracy theory at. The crime conspiracy, per webster s, oxford, and other dictionaries, can refer to secret, illegal plans by one or more persons. The first half of the book identifies a few major types of conspiracy theory and observes how they appeared and reappeared in the american past, while the second. Search conspiracy theories and thousands of other words in english definition and synonym dictionary from reverso. Nursing theories and nursing practice parker, nursing. This morning i finished reading the united states of paranoia.
May 18, 2017 the term conspiracy is fast becoming one of those meaningless, overused words due to the different perceptions as to what it actually means. And while it is absurd to spin a conspiracy theory about banks, there is a pattern of complicity in such wrongdoing. Number of conspirators and scale of conspiracy do not seem to be important. A conspiracy theory, on the other hand, is an intellectual construct, a template imposed upon the world to give the appearance of order to events.
Wikipedia has redefined the term conspiracy theory to mean an explanation. Barkun writes that conspiracies are actual covert plots planned andor carried out by two or more persons. You usually use this term to suggest that you think this is unlikely. Conspiracist definition of conspiracist by merriamwebster. The psychological effects of conspiracy theories 1166 words. According to a poll of americans in april 2017, about half 48% thought there was a deep state, defined as military, intelligence and government officials who try to secretly manipulate government, while about a third 35% of all participants thought it was a conspiracy theory and the. Sep 29, 2019 qanon, whose supporters also call it the storm or great awakening, is a wideranging conspiracy theory that burst into greater visibility this summer, after supporters at a trump rally wearing q shirts prompted a rush of national media coverage about it. The first definition of a conspiracy by merriam webster is the act of conspiring together. Definition of conspiracy merriamwebsters student dictionary. The generally accepted definition of a conspiracy entails, a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful, with the definition expanded by merriam webster to include, the act of secretly planning to do something that is harmful or illegal. Wikipedia, lexilogos, oxford, cambridge, chambers harrap, wordreference, collins lexibase dictionaries, merriam webster. Feature a theory relies on a string of events, some of unknown probability. Times, sunday times 2012 white, a wily and wittily populist writer, combines solid history with a cunning conspiracy theory. Define conspiracy by webster s dictionary, wordnet lexical database, dictionary of computing, legal dictionary, medical dictionary, dream dictionary.
The above wikipedia definition is not the definition given by, for example, merriam webster, which instead states that a conspiracy theory is a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary editors or of cambridge university press or its licensors. The ultimate list of conspiracy theory books 218 books. It is noteworthy that according to this definition, and in contrast to conspiracy, a conspiracy theory has as a prerequisite an actual or what is believed to be an actual conspiracy, or a starting point for the requisite base conspiracy point about which conspiracy theories develop. However, the term has been defined in other ways, such as dictionary. Conspiracy theory definition is a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators. The birth of the conspiracy theory the grammarphobia blog. Conspiracy theorists definition of conspiracy theorists by. The definitions of a conspiracy, a conspiracy theory and the conspiracy theorist. The strange career of a troublesome word 10508 first vintage books. You can complete the definition of conspiracy theory given by the english cobuild dictionary with other english dictionaries. A conspiracy theory is a belief that a group of people are secretly trying to harm.
Search conspiracy theory and thousands of other words in english cobuild dictionary from reverso. Conspiracy definition is the act of conspiring together. Conspiracy theories usually have little or no evidence. All merriam webster products and services are backed by the largest team of professional dictionary editors and writers in america, and one of the largest in the world. Definition of conspiracy of silence merriamwebster. According to the merriam webster dictionary, the official definition of conspiracy theory is a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators. A theory seeking to explain a disputed case or matter as a plot by a secret group or alliance rather than an individual or isolated act.
Conspiracy theory definition in the cambridge english. A conspiracy theory is a belief that a group of people are secretly trying to harm someone or achieve something. Democratic rot and the origins of american conspiracism. Conspiracy theory merriamwebsters learners dictionary. The merriam webster dictionary seems to offer a more specific definition where it states that it is, a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a. Websters dictionary 1828 online edition is an excellent reference for classical literature, bible studies, history papers, and the reading of americas national documents. Conspiracy definition in the cambridge english dictionary. A conspiracy theory, according to the oxford english dictionary, is the theory that an event or phenomenon occurs as a result of a conspiracy between interested parties. The word justice is displayed in a merriamwebster dictionary in new. What kind of fallacy dismisses all conspiracy theory as bogus. This is not a conspiracy theory, this is a welldocumented fact.
Finally, were told that conspiracy theory is a dirty word derogatory. I love merriamwebsters definition of conspiracy theory. Search conspiracy theory and thousands of other words in english definition and synonym dictionary from reverso. These theories can range from minor events, to large scale terrorist attacks.
Theyre not conspiracy theories, theyre conspiracy facts. These examples are from the cambridge english corpus and from sources on the web. For more than 150 years, in print and now online, merriam webster has been americas leading and mosttrusted provider of language information. Conspiracy theories and theories of life and everything. Compiled for the inquiring reader who wants to know more about the increasing number of theories referred to daily in newspapers, magazines and on tv and radio programs, the dictionary of theories is the first multidisciplinary reference book to bring together theories, laws, hypotheses, principles, rules, theorems, ologies and isms from all subject areas. A conspiracy theory is a story that says that a group of people conspirators have agreed conspired to do illegal or evil things and hide them from the public. A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public. Merriamwebster announces 2018s word of the year and its not. Conspiracy theory an explanation of an event or situation that. Theory definition for englishlanguage learners from merriam. Definition of theory written for english language learners from the merriam webster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and. Definition of theory written for english language learners from the merriam webster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. Belief in conspiracy theories is often considered irrational and sometimes harmful or pathological. Im wondering if youve heard a particular conspiracy theory that has stuck.
A conspiracy theory, according to the oxford english dictionary, is the theory. Change your default dictionary to american english. At the end of 2016, in the wake of donald trumps election, the oxford english dictionary made posttruth its word of the year, merriam webster picked surreal, and dictionary. According to the first barnhart dictionary companion, published in 1982, conspiracy theory has been widely used since 1973, perhaps sparked by the many theories about the worldwide energy crisis, which began that year. Webster s defines conspiracy theory primarily as a theory that explains an event or situation as the result of a secret plan. A conspiracy theory treats new information in a unique way. According to the first barnhart dictionary companion, published in 1982, conspiracy theory has. A conspiracy theory, jesse walkers brief but surprisingly comprehensive history of conspiracy theories in american life.