Connivance

Connivance refers to the act of secretly allowing something wrong or illegal to happen, often by deliberately ignoring it or failing to take action to stop it. It implies a tacit agreement or a willing cooperation, either direct or indirect, in a wrongdoing. The person showing connivance is aware of the misdeed but chooses to condone or enable it, often for personal gain, to avoid trouble, or maintain a relationship. It suggests a passive complicity, a deliberate turning of a blind eye. This involvement can be implicit or explicit, and the level of active participation can vary. Crucially, connivance involves a deliberate choice not to intervene or report the illicit behavior.

Connivance meaning with examples

• The financial director's connivance in the fraudulent accounting scheme allowed the company to inflate its profits for years, enriching himself and other executives while deceiving investors. He knew the numbers were fabricated, but chose silence to maintain his high-paying position and avoid scrutiny, effectively enabling the criminal acts. This deliberate inaction led to substantial investor losses.
• The police chief's connivance with the local mob, accepting bribes and turning a blind eye to illegal gambling and drug trafficking, fostered a climate of corruption and lawlessness in the city. By neglecting to uphold his duty and refusing to act against known criminals, he facilitated the criminal operations. He also put his officers in a position of weakness as a result of his silence.
• The teacher's connivance at the students' cheating during the exam – by ignoring their illicit use of notes and whispered communications – undermined the integrity of the grading process and encouraged academic dishonesty. This tacit approval of cheating by not doing anything ultimately devalued the education for those who played fair and were honest in their responses.
• The country's government's connivance in human rights violations, through its silence and inaction towards atrocities committed by its military, suggested endorsement of such acts. The lack of public condemnation and the failure to investigate these actions, showed complicity. This passive acceptance sent a terrible message and emboldened the oppressors.