Collusive

Collusive describes an agreement or secret cooperation, often unlawful or deceitful, between two or more parties to achieve a specific aim, typically to defraud, deceive, or gain an unfair advantage over others. It implies a hidden understanding and a deliberate act of conspiracy, often involving manipulation, suppression of information, or violation of established rules. This behavior frequently undermines trust, fairness, and competition, leading to negative consequences for those excluded or harmed by the agreement. The collusive arrangement is often intentionally concealed to prevent detection and accountability.

Collusive meaning with examples

• The investigation revealed a collusive arrangement between the construction company and the government officials, where inflated invoices were submitted in exchange for kickbacks. This illicit agreement allowed the company to overcharge the public and the officials to benefit personally, diverting taxpayer money. The collusive activities damaged the public’s trust and hindered economic growth.
• The regulatory body discovered evidence of collusive bidding among several pharmaceutical companies during a government procurement process. The companies conspired to fix prices and share markets, leading to significantly higher costs for essential medications. This secret collaboration harmed patients and violated antitrust regulations, resulting in fines and legal action.
• Despite the market's competitive nature, analysts suspected a collusive practice amongst the major oil producers to artificially inflate prices by restricting supply. The lack of price volatility and the coordinated production cuts seemed suspicious, raising questions of collusion. This action negatively affected consumers by causing financial instability.
• The investigation revealed that the union and management had engaged in collusive behavior during contract negotiations. They had a secret agreement that would benefit both parties at the expense of the workers, who were unaware of the hidden terms. This shady collaboration caused widespread discontent among employees and compromised the integrity of the collective bargaining process.
• In the competitive landscape of the stock market, the traders' collusive behaviors were scrutinized by authorities when they started manipulating the market to make unfair profits. Their secret agreement allowed them to influence trading and profit at the expense of other investors. This collusive practice triggered investigations and raised concerns of market integrity.