Thesaurus results for PLOT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

plot 1 of 2

noun

ˈplät

Definition of plot

as in scheme

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the Secret Service uncovered just in time a plot to assassinate the President

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in field

a small area of usually open land grew vegetables in a little plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

2 of 2

verb

ˈplät

as in to scheme

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends mobsters were caught plotting to take over the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Nestled in the shadow of Jeju Island’s signature Hallasan, a dormant volcano and South Korea’s highest mountain peak, the plot of land that makes up Wild Orchard Farmstead experiences its own microclimate. — Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Now that the trio is on top, Lucky gets an offbeat romance plot that pairs her with the powerful, game-loving casino owner Max Sugar, played by Fred Armisen. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

Verb

That will really set the tone for that day, which is just being plotted out now, to really engage in a conversation that will be open to industry pass holders, press, and public to talk about the future of independent film. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 Sources tell OutKick that Pitaro backed Mark Jones in 2020 when Jones falsely accused police officers of plotting to shoot him. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot

Noun

The couple are accused of operating a scheme that targeted fellow Vietnamese immigrants.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
The two were using different error correction schemes (a surface code and a color code).

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

The team combined two fast-growing areas of quantum research by using a magnetic topological material to study non-Hermitian physics, an emerging field that examines systems with unconventional behavior.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Devers furthered the Giants’ cause with a ground-rule double that lodged itself under the padding along the right-field line, scoring Schmitt.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Definition of field

Noun

Future solar missions are now going to have to start taking dust into account, said Ayaz, with dedicated detectors designed to measure dust's properties close to the Sun.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026
The address of that property, the Carmel Pines Apartments at 1770 Carmel Drive in Walnut Creek, also is listed on a subpoena issued to Contra Costa County.

— Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Definition of property

Noun

Cholowsky visited Chicago for a few days in early June, talking to coaches and executives, hanging out with players and listening to Jerry Reinsdorf’s baseball stories.

— Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Hawthorne recounted a story about the day he was drafted, when new Steelers teammate Joe Greene came to his family’s door.

— Jim Barnes July 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2026

Definition of story

Noun

Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in federal court during an afternoon hearing in the more than 20-month-long corruption case.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 6 July 2026
After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Noun

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission said Thursday that the zones are economically distressed census tracts that are designated to encourage long-term private investment in local communities through federal tax incentives.

— Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
Additionally, first-time homebuyers in some census tracts can get up to $8,000 with the Flagstar Power-Up program.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of tract

Noun

Changes included a longer project timeline, uncertainty over whether the developers could provide community amenities such as a pool and less profitable ground lease terms, according to the district.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Now that space is a market and not just a proving ground, the engineering that was once the whole game is only the cost of entry — and as in any maturing market, most ventures will not make it past that threshold.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of ground

Noun

Eleven separate parcels, including seven waterfront lots, a pond-front guest cottage parcel and an additional non-waterfront tract.

— Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
The law lets owners of farmland bordered on three-quarters of its edge by development apply to turn those parcels into houses or businesses — and if the county doesn’t approve or deny within 90 days, the application is approved automatically.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of parcel

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Style

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of plot

noun

verb

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