Thesaurus results for COUNTERPLOT

counterplot 1 of 2

noun

Definition of counterplot

as in intrigue

Related Words

Relevance

counterplot

2 of 2

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 counterplot

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

Come 2028, the Democratic presidential campaign promises to be a banger, with all sorts of intrigue and subplots layered within a wide-open fight for the nomination.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
The intrigue of what might be beyond the curve or around the corner takes the mind away from the size of the space and focuses it on the content of the garden.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of intrigue

Verb

The Voyagers have been skirting this dismal fate for years now, with NASA engineers carefully monitoring each spacecraft’s power supplies and plotting out when to turn off individual instruments to keep the missions going as long as possible.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
While this reunion was happening, Juke was watching from a safe distance, plotting.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of plot

Noun

However, year after year, predicting Preller’s midsummer machinations has proved a largely futile endeavor.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Kapor had a lot more to say, about blazing a trail without a map, about the machinations of markets, and about the opportunities that the world is exploring now.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of machination

Verb

Shanahan schemed up multiple 100-yard games for Kendrick Bourne, and even journeyman Demarcus Robinson had 111 yards in the playoffs against the Eagles — neither receiver had a 100-yard game since 2022.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 29 July 2026
Corey Hawkins as Polybus Polybus is another one of Penelope’s many suitors who scheme to take her hand and kingdoms for themselves.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of scheme

Verb

That March, Stewart was convicted of conspiring with her Merrill Lynch stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, to deceive authorities probing her December 2001 sale of the ImClone stock.

— Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors alleged that Craig's homicide prompted Larry and Samuel to conspire with their fellow gang members to kill a witness to Craig's death, prosecutors said.

— Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of conspire

Noun

That includes $4 million from Richard Uihlein, the Illinois billionaire and Trump supporter who often funds organizations and causes that promote election conspiracies and far-right candidates.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
With their claims of conspiracies and control of the wind, the Republicans have become the party of magical thinking.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Verb

That’s either an amazing coincidence of errors or the studies were cynically designed to contrive flaws in RCV.

— Paul Haughey, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
Until, of course, the final game (which was not technically the final)… when Brazil contrived to lose a 1-0 lead, and Uruguay triumphed against all odds.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of contrive

Browse Nearby Words

counterplans

counterplot

counterplots

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterplot. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of counterplot

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes