* The corrupt officials connived** with the developers to illegally rezone the land.
* She suspected her coworkers were conniving to get her fired, but she had no proof.
* The children connived to sneak extra dessert after dinner.
* It's hard to believe that the company's CEO would connive with his competitors to sabotage their rivals.
* The rebels connived with foreign powers to overthrow the government.
Note: "Connive" often has a negative connotation, implying a secret or dishonest agreement to do something wrong.