counterplot 1 of 2

noun

Definition of counterplotnext
as in intrigue

Related Words

Relevance

counterplot

2 of 2

verb

as in to plot

Related Words

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
  • 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
  • According to authorities, the victim, Thomas Hegarty, suffered from severe dementia and had owned his Hollywood home for 25 years before four individuals schemed to strip him of his property.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Which brings us to Elizabeth Holmes, who for a short period, schemed her way into becoming a billionaire.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 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
Verb
  • That evolution has provided a playground for screenwriters contriving elaborate shocks.
    — Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen said Menin is using the death of a tourist to contrive a public safety crisis.
    — Jessica Moore, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of contrive

Browse Nearby Words

counterplans
counterplot
counterplots
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterplot. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of effrontery

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All