scheme
noun
\
Definition of scheme
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a archaic
scheme
verbDefinition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms for scheme
Synonyms: Noun
artifice, device, dodge, fetch, flimflam, gambit, gimmick, jig, juggle, knack, play, ploy, ruse, shenanigan, sleight, stratagem, trick, wile
Synonyms: Verb
collude, compass, connive, conspire, contrive, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up
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Examples of scheme in a Sentence
Noun
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 roomVerb
He felt that the other men were scheming against him. He was betrayed by a scheming friend.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
In addition to the exam-rigging scheme, prosecutors say parents paid Singer tens of thousands of dollars to bribe coaches into pretending that their kids were athletic recruits to boost their chances of getting accepted. — Alanna Durkin Richer, The Seattle Times, "Test taker pleads guilty in college admissions bribery scam," 13 Apr. 2019 The color scheme is a mix of girly and grunge that perfectly matches my style (think Courtney Love meets Sailor Moon chic). — Glamour, "Urban Decay’s Naked Cherry Palette Is the Best of All the Nakeds," 3 Apr. 2019 The color scheme is grays and whites—so the new crib will fit right in. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle's Crib From Her Baby Shower Is Still Available to Shop," 20 Feb. 2019 The oak countertop on the VADHOLMA island adds warmth, while the black and white color scheme keeps things modern. — Jessica Dailey, Good Housekeeping, "Your Style," 11 Feb. 2019 Whenever you’re tempted to snap up a throw pillow from a cute boutique on vacation, pause and fire up those images. Does the souvenir match the overall color scheme? — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Buy a Souvenir You Won't Regret," 19 Sep. 2018 Stick to the same color scheme for on-point layering. — Seventeen Editors, Seventeen, "33 Back To School Outfits That Will Actually Make You Want to Go Back to School," 27 July 2018 Other states like Colorado are pondering similar schemes,... — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Importing Bad Ideas on Drug Prices," 15 Apr. 2019 Reality shows traffic in over-the-top drama, setting their contestants up to scheme, backstab, and trample their way to the top. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "The Great British Baking Show Alums Reunite for Martha Collison's Wedding," 9 Apr. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
When not playing dead on the battlefield or scheming for glory by killing an already dead man, Hanks’ Falstaff offers piercing ironic commentary on such concepts as honor and valor. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "Tom Hanks, Hamish Linklater and a 'Henry IV' worthy of applause," 10 June 2018 Edward II’s life has everything: a cadre of scheming barons, a vengeful queen, Edward’s own dramatic deposition. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Beyond The Favourite: The Royal Family's Very Queer History," 22 Feb. 2019 Their lateral explosiveness is lethal on schemed pass-rush concepts like stunts and twists. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "Best in the AFC West: 10 Thoughts on the 2018 Chargers," 18 June 2018 After spending the Stanley Cup Final scheming to slow down defenseman John Carlson , the Vegas Golden Knights will be among teams trying to persuade him to join them. — Kevin Allen, USA TODAY, "NHL free agents 2018: Capitals' John Carlson leads ranking of top 15 potential UFAs," 11 June 2018 Within its nondescript walls, safe from the unseasonably chilly February day swirling outside, all eyes are on Hondo Ohnaka, a scheming pirate from Star Wars: Rebels. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "The A1000 Is Disney's Advanced Animatronic Bringing the Galaxy's Edge Star Wars Theme Park To Life," 28 Feb. 2019 Acting as Julieanne Porter’s conscious in the film, George Downes plays the vital role of making us not totally turn on our scheming leading lady. — Danny Murphy, Marie Claire, "My Best Friend's Wedding," 14 Feb. 2019 Eberflus took over much of Dallas’s pass defense scheming in 2016 and 2017 and implemented a few more matchup coverage concepts. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "Draft Needs: Finding the Right Fits for New Defensive Coordinators," 18 Apr. 2018 Bits of 18th-century flavor remain in the brief comic scenes of gossip and scheming that surround the big showpiece arias, and Cilea’s masterly orchestration, with its hints of Wagner, ties the whole thing together. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘Adriana Lecouvreur’ Review: More Than a Diva Showcase," 3 Jan. 2019These 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.
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
The Good, The Bad, & The...
The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 11/2
The words that defined the week of November 2nd, 2018
Dictionary Entries near scheme
Statistics for scheme
Last Updated
14 May 2019
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for scheme
The first known use of scheme was circa 1595
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More Definitions for scheme
scheme
noun
English Language Learners Definition of scheme
(Entry 1 of 2)
scheme
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)
See the full definition for scheme in the English Language Learners Dictionary
scheme
noun
\
Kids Definition of scheme
(Entry 1 of 2)
scheme
verbKids Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)
scheme
noun
\
Medical Definition of scheme
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scheme
nounLegal Definition of scheme
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