สมคบคิด

Explanation

The central image is of two or more people secretly coordinating a harmful or dishonest plan. It does not simply mean cooperating or making plans together. The word combines สมคบ, “to join forces or collude,” with คิด, “to think or devise.” Common patterns include สมคบคิดกัน, “conspire together,” and สมคบคิดกับ＋person, “conspire with someone.” The nominal form การสมคบคิด means “conspiracy” or “the act of conspiring.”

Usage

It commonly appears in crime reports, investigations, and court cases involving fraud, robbery, murder, or corruption. It is also used for secret political or organizational plots intended to undermine someone or seize power.

Caution

Do not use this for ordinary joint planning, such as arranging a trip or organizing a project; วางแผนร่วมกัน is appropriate there. Because สมคบคิด strongly suggests malicious or illegal intent, applying it to someone can sound like a serious accusation.

1 conspire synonyms

• รวมหัว

  รวมหัว is a more conversational way to say that people put their heads together, often to scheme; it can also be used jokingly. สมคบคิด is more formal and carries a stronger suggestion of secrecy, harm, or illegality.