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\ ˈskēm 
\
\Definition of scheme
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a plan or program of action especially : a crafty or secret one
2 : a systematic or organized configuration : design color scheme
3 : a concise statement or table : epitome
4a : a graphic sketch or outline
b archaic (1) : a mathematical or astronomical diagram
(2) : a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time
scheme
verbschemed; scheming
Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)
: to form a scheme for
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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
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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 room Verb
He felt that the other men were scheming against him.
He was betrayed by a scheming friend.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Instead, Porzingis' latest setback might be a product of the evolution of the center position and his touch-heavy, versatile fit in the Mavericks' scheme.
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Callie Caplan, Dallas News, "Concerning history, or NBA trend? Former Mavs team doctor weighs in on Kristaps Porzingis' injuries," 17 Sep. 2020 No surprise, the prank was orchestrated by Khloé Kardashian and Scott Disick, who last season developed an elaborate scheme to produce fake paparazzi photos of Kris Jenner in various uncompromising positions.
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Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Khloé Kardashian Enlists Family Publicist to Prank Kris Jenner in KUWTK Premiere," 17 Sep. 2020 Miami also could keep Van Noy as the team’s outside linebacker in Flores' hybrid 3-4 scheme and use Kamu Grugier-Hill, Calvin Munson or Eguavoen as the inside linebacker paired with Baker.
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Omar Kelly, sun-sentinel.com, "Dolphins exploring options to replace linebacker Elandon Roberts," 17 Sep. 2020 This 21-inch black and orange figure makes a fun addition to any fall or Halloween decorating scheme.
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Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, "Must-Have Fall Decor Finds to Score Online from T.J. Maxx and Marshalls," 16 Sep. 2020 The Wilpons are reportedly losing upwards of millions of dollars per year, due in part to their previous involvement in Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.
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Deesha Thosar, courant.com, "Mets fans can happily shift attention from sluggish fight for playoffs to Steve Cohen’s future club," 15 Sep. 2020 Micronesia, James came up with an elaborate scheme to create his own stick replica to confuse his fellow tribemates.
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Dalton Ross, EW.com, "Survivor Quarantine Questionnaire: James Lim almost created a replica 'f---ing stick' on Ghost Island," 15 Sep. 2020 Each scheme was intended to and did cause massive harm to GM.
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Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "GM sues its former board member and UAW VP, Joe Ashton, connected to corruption probe," 15 Sep. 2020 The prototype car's pearlescent yellow paint scheme is suggestive of a yellow paint popular on early Zs.
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Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, "Nissan gives us an early glimpse of its first new Z sports car in over a decade," 15 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Fortunately, Dallas still has enough weapons at receiver and running back for offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to scheme up opportunities to find players quickly in space.
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Dallas News, "Expert predictions for Cowboys-Falcons: Will Atlanta give Dallas a harder time than many expect?," 18 Sep. 2020 Still, with Ozark coming off a buzzy penultimate season, Laura Linney's Wendy may scheme her way to the top.
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Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, "Emmys 2020: Who should win, and who will win," 15 Sep. 2020 Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton are increasing their warnings that President Trump will not accept defeat in the fall election and will scheme to keep control of the White House.
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Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "Bill Clinton: Trump will be ‘stacking sandbags’ to stay in White House after defeat," 2 Sep. 2020 Not even coach Neal Brown could scheme around the running game's deficiencies and the offensive line's issues from guard to guard.
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Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, "Big 12 conference preview: Can anyone finally catch up to Oklahoma?," 1 Sep. 2020 Luckily for Dallas, there are a plethora of ways to scheme touches in space for offensive weapons — the most common of which bubble/tunnel screens and jet sweeps.
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John Owning, Dallas News, "Film room: How CeeDee Lamb, other Cowboys draftees can make an immediate 2020 impact," 8 June 2020 All that said, Jones has still played just nine games and will face significant competition, particularly from Ohio State, as teams try to scheme around 1-on-1 matchups with Sewell.
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oregonlive, "Steven Jones gives Oregon Ducks another pillar on offensive line at right tackle," 9 May 2020 Both of them carry the baggage of decades in the Washington swamp and both of them schemed to keep the Democrat nomination from Bernie Sanders.
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Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Ohio wraps up mail-in primary," 29 Apr. 2020 Both carry baggage of decades in the DC swamp & both schemed to keep the Dem nomination from Bernie Sanders.
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Dominick Mastrangelo, Washington Examiner, "'Decades in the DC swamp': Trump campaign chief brushes off Clinton endorsement of Biden," 28 Apr. 2020
See MoreThese 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
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Last Updated
22 Sep 2020
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Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scheme. Accessed 29 Sep. 2020.
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More Definitions for scheme
scheme
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of scheme
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a clever and often dishonest plan to do or get something
chiefly British : an official plan or program of action
: the way that something is arranged or organized
scheme
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)
: to make plans to do or get something in a secret and often dishonest way
See the full definition for scheme in the English Language Learners Dictionary
scheme
noun\ ˈskēm \
\Kids Definition of scheme
(Entry 1 of 2)
scheme
verbschemed; scheming
Kids Definition of scheme (Entry 2 of 2)
: to form a secret plan
scheme
noun\ ˈskēm \
\Medical Definition of scheme
: schema
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scheme
nounLegal Definition of scheme
1 : a combination of elements (as statutes or regulations) that are connected, adjusted, and integrated by design : a systematic plan or program
an inspection scheme
2 : a clever and often dishonest plan
a scheme to defraud investors
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Time Traveler for scheme
The first known use of scheme was circa 1595
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