scheme

noun \ ˈskēm \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: scheme in a Sentence

Definition of scheme

1 a archaic

(1) : a mathematical or astronomical diagram

(2) : a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time

b : a graphic sketch or outline

2 : a concise statement or table : epitome

3 : a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one

4 : a systematic or organized configuration : design

color scheme

See scheme defined for English-language learners

See scheme defined for kids

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

a scheme to cheat people out of their money
The company has a new scheme for insurance coverage.
a scheme to improve the economy
the color scheme of a room

Recent Examples of scheme from the Web

By comparison, Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme was estimated to be a $65 billion fraud.

— tiffany kary, Bloomberg.com, "Saudi Company Ruled Complicit in ‘One of the Largest Ponzi Schemes in History’," 4 June 2018
But perhaps no player was more adversely affected by the defensive scheme change than Simon, leaving him in what feels like a precarious position.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Colts observations: Could this defensive line actually have depth?," 30 May 2018
Vladimir Putin is often portrayed in the press as a wily manipulator who always gets his way, but lately the Kremlin’s schemes are backfiring.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "A Crackdown on Russian Money," 25 May 2018
Archie barked up the wrong tree threatening Hiram but perhaps, with Archie going to jail and being on the inside of Hiram’s prison scheme, this will finally be the thing to free our favorite foursome of Hiram's evil doings.

— refinery29.com, "Riverdale Season 2, Episode 22 Recap: "Brave New World"," 17 May 2018
Gase said there would be no defensive scheme change and safety T.J. McDonald won’t move to linebacker despite the team drafting Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick with the No.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins' Adam Gase happy with roster, confident in quarterbacks," 10 May 2018
The White House apparently got wind of Abboud’s scheme and, according to Plott, is mad at Pruitt.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "The week’s 4 big political stories, explained," 4 May 2018
Tate and his teammates are in the process of adjusting to a new offense that shares traits with former coach Rich Rodriguez’s scheme but features difference snap-count and play-calling operations.

— michael lev, azcentral, "Arizona Wildcats coach Kevin Sumlin talks talent, potential for quarterback Khalil Tate," 1 May 2018
And the results of the USDA’s pilot privatization scheme don’t give consumers much reason to trust its food safety claims.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "The USDA Goes Hog Wild," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scheme.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scheme

Latin schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, from Greek schēmat-, schēma, from echein to have, hold, be in (such) a condition; akin to Old English sige victory, Sanskrit sahate he prevails

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1595

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

scheme Synonyms

Synonyms

arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, plan, program, project, strategy, system;

Related Words

collusion, conspiracy, plot;

contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick;

counterplan, counterstrategy;

means, tactic, technique, way;

procedure, protocol;

conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s);

aim, intent, intention, purpose;

diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup;

Synonym Discussion of scheme

plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

- plans for a house

design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

- a design for a new dress

plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

- the plot of the play

scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

- a scheme to defraud the government

project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

- a project to develop the waterfront

scheme

verb

Definition of scheme

schemed; scheming

transitive verb

: to form a scheme for

intransitive verb

: to form plans; also : plot, intrigue

—

schemer

noun

See scheme defined for English-language learners

Examples of scheme in a Sentence

He felt that the other men were scheming against him.
He was betrayed by a scheming friend.

Recent Examples of scheme from the Web

Brady and Rodgers have met on the field just once before, and a week for the quarterbacks and their head coaches to scheme against one another could be a multipart docuseries on HBO.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "Predicting Every NFL Team’s 2018 Season Record," 7 June 2018
And the girls start their scheming against Wendell and Dom.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? (May 9) Did Mason's Angela Perkins advance?," 9 May 2018
In one of television's most surreal landscapes, Beetz exists at the collision of every culture and idea that Atlanta targets, tugged in endless directions as her baby's father, Earn, attempts to scheme his way to success.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "Atlanta's Zazie Beetz Has Earned Your Attention," 6 Apr. 2018
The show’s producers are considering a fairly straightforward route— killing off his character, the scheming Frank Underwood.

— gabrielle bruney, Esquire, "'House of Cards' Might Kill Off Kevin Spacey’s Character for its Final Season," 4 Nov. 2017
McCarthy said there was absolutely no effort or scheming between the two of them to get the California congressman into the speakership before the election.

— tal kopan, CNN, "McCarthy denies he talked with Mulvaney about ousting Ryan early: 'Not on any planet'," 21 May 2018
That enables a greater rate of shenanigans — like when Italian President Giorgio Napolitano schemed, successfully, to remove Silvio Berlusconi as prime minister due at least in part to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's entreaties to do so.

— dylan matthews, Vox, "It’s okay to enjoy the royal wedding. Constitutional monarchies are great.," 18 May 2018
Every night, once his wife went to bed, Carpenter drank coffee, chewed Nicorette, and schemed about ways to outwit the hackers.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "The Digital Vigilantes Who Hack Back," 30 Apr. 2018
The Falcons clearly missed brilliant offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan scheming receivers open this past season.

— chris fedor, cleveland.com, "NFL Draft 2018 Grades: Do Cleveland Browns get high marks for bold moves in Round One?," 27 Apr. 2018