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as in property
a small piece of land that is developed or available for development subdivided the old farm into plots for tract houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in story
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work wrote novels in which the plot was always subordinate to the characterizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

plot

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of plot are cabal, conspiracy, intrigue, and machination. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

When might cabal be a better fit than plot?

The synonyms cabal and plot are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of plot?

While in some cases nearly identical to plot, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When is intrigue a more appropriate choice than plot?

The words intrigue and plot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When could machination be used to replace plot?

Although the words machination and plot have much in common, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

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 plot
Noun
It’s overloaded with plot contrivance, histrionics and on-the-nose messaging, piling on too much of everything. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025 Sure, the plot’s kind of a mess, but warrior Alice is an empowering turn while Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter’s big-headed Red Queen are splendidly strange. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Verb
The map was important for the Barbies when plotting to take back Barbieland from the Kens. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 May 2025 Here’s a look at the cast, then and now Maggie (Missy Peregrym) and Isobel, who was initially thought dead in the explosion that killed Reynolds, both overhear Keene plotting with another Forefront mole, Special Agent Wabash. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for plot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot
Noun
  • At the end of February, a pedestrian was hit in West London by an ebike rider in West London — not a rental or sharing scheme, to be clear — and died after a month in hospital.
    Nicole Kobie, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • This scheme netted Smith over $10 million in royalties before he was caught.
    Tyler Hicks, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 May 2025
  • As of mid-May, his operation had mushroomed to include over 20,000 mostly young volunteers, a bigger field team than any of the other 2025 mayoral campaigns bolster.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • This is different from market value, which is the cost for which the property would sell.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • The property is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection hotels.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • These highlights were written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
  • Wisely, the studio is keeping the story in the same universe by involving both Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han while starting a new story with Ben Wang’s Li Fong.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Another alleged the fight was a conspiracy between Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to gain footing by leveraging the pop star's high-profile.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • Bongino updated Fox News host Sean Hannity on the investigation into the Epstein file as conspiracies continue to float that he was murdered in prison.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Inflammatory conditions in the male reproductive tract are harmful to sperm production and function.
    Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
  • This vibrant tract features a variety of Colorado and regionally native trees, shrubs, and perennials.
    Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
  • These ground robots have become a regular presence along the front.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Announced alongside the price changes, DHL is expanding the use of the mobile parcel label, which allows customers to ship parcels and small packages to non-E.U. countries without the need to print shipping labels.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 June 2025
  • Although most vines have southern and western orientation, some parcels face east and north, which offers a high degree of variety in the vineyards.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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