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Collude vs Complicit - What's the difference?

collude | complicit |

As a verb collude

is to act in concert with; to conspire.

As an adjective complicit is

associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.

collude

English

Verb

(collud)
  • to act in concert with; to conspire

    • Synonyms

    * to be in cahoots * conspire * plot * scheme

    Related terms

    * collusion

    complicit

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.
  • * 1861 , Henry M. Wheeler, The Slaves' Champion , p. 203,
    • It [slavery] has set the seal of a complicit , guilty silence upon the most orthodox pulpits and the saintliest tongues,
  • * 1973 , , As If by Magic , Secker and Warburg, p. 177:
    • "I confess," and the Englishman turned with a near complicit grin to Hamo, "I have certain vulgar tastes myself."
  • * 2005 , Larry Dennsion, " Letters," Time , 7 March:
    • Khan's sale of nuclear secrets and a complicit Pakistani government have made the world a ticking time bomb.

    Synonyms

    * complicitous

    Derived terms

    * complicitly

    Related terms

    * complicity

    References

    * * Oxford English Dictionary , 2nd ed., 1989.