conspiracy theory
"Conspiracy theories" often emerge in response to complex or threatening situations, attributing events to secret plots by powerful groups.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(common, neutral)A belief that an event or situation is the result of a secret plot by a group of people.
Example
- Many people believe in the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was faked.
C1Sociopolitical
(derogatory, dismissive)An explanation for an event that attributes it to a secret, often sinister, plot by powerful actors, typically when other explanations are more probable.
Example
- The idea that vaccines are part of a government control scheme is widely regarded as a conspiracy theory.