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

Welcome back to another edition after a week of geopolitical intrigue plus all the usual news ‘n’ deep dives.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
Ohio State’s quarterback uncertainty adds intrigue to a matchup that otherwise lost a bit of shine once USC fell 24-7 at Wisconsin to drop out of the AP Top 25.

— Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of intrigue

Verb

For months, Republicans have suspected that the second Dan Sullivan’s Senate bid was designed to confuse voters as part of a broader scheme allegedly plotted by the Democratic Party to boost Peltola’s chances.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
Procrastination seems the wrong way to describe stories that connect intricately to each other and would seem to involve more forethought and plotting than a full-length novel.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of plot

Noun

Through Toinette’s machinations and Beralde’s subtle plans, show business itself becomes the day-saving tool in The Imaginary Invalid.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
This case smacks of the political machinations so typical of Tamarac.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of machination

Verb

Throughout, cutting back and forth between scheming politicians in backrooms, foreboding factory lines and a natural world suffering both, Xun mixes almost cartoonish expression with the intense detail of painting.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
To do so, the New Yorker allegedly used a fake sweepstakes scheme and utilized her employee travel benefits to visit the victim’s Palm Coast home, according to investigators.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

Galloping advances in technology invite subterfuge and theft.

— Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
The series unpacks the subterfuge and secrecy required to record the interviews and how Diana and Colthurst were on high alert while making the recordings, Barefield explained.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of subterfuge

Verb

Vallow Daybell was convicted separately in Arizona for conspiring to murder her estranged husband and her niece’s ex-husband, the latter of whom survived.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Two months earlier, another jury convicted her of conspiring to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, whom Cox shot and killed in July 2019.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of conspire

Noun

Désir, a married father of two young children, is among several people accused of helping advance the conspiracy that culminated in Moïse’s killing.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Both men face felony charges of intimidation of witness/victim, conspiracy, criminal use of communication facility and bribery.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

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 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of counterplot

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes