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as in property
a small piece of land that is developed or available for development subdivided the old farm into plots for tract houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in story
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work wrote novels in which the plot was always subordinate to the characterizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

plot

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of plot are cabal, conspiracy, intrigue, and machination. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

When might cabal be a better fit than plot?

The synonyms cabal and plot are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of plot?

While in some cases nearly identical to plot, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When is intrigue a more appropriate choice than plot?

The words intrigue and plot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When could machination be used to replace plot?

Although the words machination and plot have much in common, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plot
Noun
After being released on Netflix on June 19, the eight-episode series found its way to the No. 1 spot on the streaming platform's Top 10, capturing viewers with its dramatic (and dangerous) plot. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 June 2025 No Ju-han—Netflix If the VIPs were Season 1’s sour note, then in Season 2, slow-moving side plots set among the guards and the search party looking for Squid Game Island provided less jarring but more extensive distractions from the main event. Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
Verb
But every course plotted by Pook ran into problems due to crossing railroad tracks and government regulations and restrictions. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025 The seven-man crew allegedly struck in the morning while the truck was in Lebec, after plotting the heist for three days, authorities alleged in an indictment unsealed this month. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for plot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot
Noun
  • And most recycling schemes are still small-scale, unable to keep up with the sheer volume of cheap and short-use clothing flowing through the system.
    Zoe Bayliss Wong, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Galeotti said these schemes can increase the national deficit and threaten the long-term viability of health care for seniors, individuals with disabilities and other citizens who need these programs.
    Jenna Sundel Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • In 2019, Williamson was the national player of the year, averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and shot 68% from the field, while Barrett was a first team All-American (22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game) and Reddish was third on the team in scoring (13.5 points per game).
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • If gravity interacts with the Higgs field under these conditions, this interaction could change how gravity behaves.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Crossman and Dann said in a news conference Wednesday that the plan to take private property without permission amounts to theft and is unconstitutional.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 25 June 2025
  • Two Leading Hotels of the World member properties lie within minutes of one another.
    John Oseid, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • However, Walters' incredible career is only part of her story.
    Sean Keane, ABC News, 23 June 2025
  • In the box office smash, the talented singer and actress portrays Elphaba, the green witch from the famed Wizard of Oz story.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • And multiple members of the Trump Administration have promoted antisemitic conspiracies and associated with antisemitic extremists.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 30 June 2025
  • Among those set free with Trump's acts of clemency were Enrique Tarrio, leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who received the longest sentence of 22 years for seditious conspiracy.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • The Senate Bill shifts the OZ 2.0 designation window to July 1, 2026, removing the $10,000 carve-out proposed by the House and the 33 percent requirement definition of eligible tracts.
    Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Residents in census tracts where more than 30% of families lived below the federal poverty line had a fentanyl overdose death rate nearly four times that of those in more affluent areas.
    Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Koivisto was known to cycle to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground from her home in the city centre, a 10-mile round trip.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • Dating apps, including Tinder, are fertile ground for scams, according to various consumer protection sources including the FBI and Federal Trade Commission.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The entire parcel is about 100 acres, with the portion comprising the library and events center about one-fifth of that.
    Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Back when the parcel was acquired for development in the 1980s by the real-estate investor and abstract-art collector Ben Heller, neighboring property owners unsuccessfully sued to keep him from situating a house so close to the pond.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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