CABAL

Set to 13 different clues across 15 published puzzles, most often “Intrigue” — The New York Times, Friday, 20 April 2007.

5 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Intrigue2 times
The New York Times — Friday, 20 April 2007
Conspiracy2 times
The New York Times — Wednesday, 15 January 1997
Power seekers, maybeonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 6 September 2009
Plotters' plotonce
The New York Times — Monday, 21 July 2008
Coup grouponce
The New York Times — Friday, 11 July 2003
Intriguing bunchonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 31 July 2001
Schemersonce
The New York Times — Thursday, 30 December 1999
Plotting grouponce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 3 August 1999
Plotonce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 7 May 1997
Cassius and company, in "Julius Caesar"once
The New York Times — Wednesday, 25 December 1996
Power-seeking cliqueonce
The New York Times — Saturday, 6 July 1996
Intriguing grouponce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 30 March 1994