as in intrigue
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Recent Examples of counterplot
Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2019
There’s something comforting about the normalcy of plot and counterplot, action and intrigue.
—Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2017
Noun
Bit by bit, the castle at Elsinore (broodingly rendered by scenic designer Lee Savage) turns into a stage for life-and-death plots and counterplots.
—Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2019
There’s something comforting about the normalcy of plot and counterplot, action and intrigue.
—Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterplot
Noun
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The darling Swiss-dot design creates visual intrigue, while the flowy sleeves and skirt allow for ample freedom of movement.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The soft glove look adds some intrigue compared to the traditional silhouette.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now there could be an M&A frenzy in the works as prospective buyers plot ways to carve up his representation empire.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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Unsurprisingly the two are already plotting more projects together.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There are times, though, when the filmmaker makes his machinations too obvious, as with the too-cute cross-cutting illustrating how the characters are all caught in the same web.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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With such broad big-brand experience, Mulier may be well equipped to navigate the machinations of Versace and the Prada Group.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Schlossnagle schemed in the offseason to ensure the reigning SEC champs would be deeper at all positions after a 44-14 finish.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
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As Cunningham’s ascent into superstardom continues, the defensive game plan against him is leaving opposing teams scrambling to scheme up ways to neutralize him.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For all its cutthroat espionage and subterfuge, The Americans was always a show about family.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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Smiley, working with his colleague Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) narrows his inquiry to five men, including Bill Haydon (Colin Firth) and Roy Bland (Ciarán Hinds), using clever subterfuge and maneuvering to get the truth.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bowden and three other physicians sued doctors, medical boards and the Federation of State Medical Boards, accusing them of conspiring to punish doctors who opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates and treatments that did not adhere to medical boards’ guidelines.—
Evan MacDonald,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
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They are accused of conspiring to deprive congregants of their religious rights and of interfering with access to a place of worship.—
Samuel Oakford,
Washington Post,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On Thursday, Dong and Nie were arrested at their home in Hacienda Heights and booked on suspicion of pimping, pandering and conspiracy.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Even if few of the wildest conspiracies found material support, his cultural imprint grew only larger.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.—
Rachel Wetzler,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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Someone’s phone is always vibrating, a gimmick that often strikes me as contrived in a movie-movie but feels totally normalized in a reality-movie like The Moment.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterplot. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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