counterplot 1 of 2

noun

Definition of counterplotnext
as in intrigue

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counterplot

2 of 2

verb

as in to plot

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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
  1. intrigue
  2. plot
  3. machination
  4. scheme
  5. subterfuge
  6. conspire
  7. conspiracy
  8. contrive
Noun
  • Lanterns, from the creators of Ozark and Lost, promises to blend the gritty intrigue of True Detective with the cosmic superhero adventures of the DC Universe.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For now, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers will kick off a Championship season, sure, like many before it, to be full of intrigue and excitement.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of intrigue
Verb
  • According to charging documents, the teens were allegedly plotting to rob Wright and displayed guns during a video call.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Which, again, is perfectly fine for parallel parking but not particularly helpful in trail course plotting.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of plot
Noun
  • Extrapolating from salacious and rumor-filled ancient sources, the novel offers an inside scoop into the machinations of the first Roman imperial family.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That the strategic ploy of publicly confirming her brother’s unconfirmable death might require additional machinations?
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of machination
Verb
  • When companies scheme to cut competition, costs go up, choices go down, our economy suffers, and every day Americans end up paying more for less.
    — Rob Bonta, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • The subterfuge involved him stowing away in an airport catering container to sneak onto the jet.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The sophistication of model subterfuge that OpenAI has now disclosed, combined with OpenAI’s inability to detect or stop the hacking, suggests far worse could be to come.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of subterfuge
Verb
  • For his treachery in conspiring with Gwayne, Daemon claims Corlys as his own prisoner.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Before the jazz debacle, Ludlow was best known as a former City Council member who pleaded guilty in 2006 to federal charges of conspiring to embezzle union funds for campaign costs.
    — David K. Li, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspire
Noun
  • Deputies booked the third suspect in the case, 20-year-old Liam Fairlie, with conspiracy to commit a crime and furnishing marijuana to a minor.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And if Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann, minors in election conspiracies, Thomas’s wife, Ginni, majors in it, having explicitly urged lawmakers in two states to overturn Biden’s election.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 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
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Cite this Entry

“Counterplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterplot. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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