conspire
to plot together secretly
Roots
Other words with the spir root
- expire: to come to an end
- inspire: to fill with feeling, energy, or an idea
- respiration: breathing
- spirit: breath, energy, or inner life
Conspire is breathe together: people sharing one hidden plan.
The officials conspired to hide the report.
Conspire has a vivid old image: breathe together. In modern English the breathing-together becomes plotting together, usually in secret.