plot 1 of 2

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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
In Alameda, officials also offered a purchase option for a 13-acre plot of prime, undeveloped real estate on the city’s Alameda Point island, home to the former Naval Air Station. Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 For all of Liverpool’s plots and schemes, there could be no plan for the fastest final goal in Champions League history, one scored by Paolo Maldini inside the first minute of the game. James Pearce, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
The clown cult gathers in a dive bar to plot their attack on the unsuspecting citizens of Green Willow. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025 Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum return for the follow-up and are seen in the trailer as Madame Morrible and the Wizard, respectively, plotting Elphaba’s demise. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot
Noun
  • Rosenzweig worked on dozens of complex cases as a prosecutor in the economic crimes section, which focuses on healthcare fraud, money laundering and other financial schemes.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Lions’ surprisingly poor showing against their NFC North rivals kneecapped CBS’ deliveries, although the Eye Network also didn’t get much of a lift from the new BDP scheme.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the third quarter, FIU center Julius Pierce limped off the field with a leg injury.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Guerrero, in the first inning, connected for a towering fly ball to left field.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • People would be wise to consider the ever-increasing cost of homes in the area before selling their property due to immigration enforcement fears, Gonzalez said.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Known to relieve nausea and bloating, ginger contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Her stories began running Monday and will continue this week.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kormarczyk was indicted on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit unlicensed money transmitting, while Carbajal was indicted for conspiracy to commit unlicensed money transmitting.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in May 2020.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the Savannah River Site (SRS), a sprawling 310-square-mile complex, ten specific tracts of land totaling 3,103 acres (1,256 hectares) have been identified for potential development.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Cranberries Cranberries are brimming with antioxidants, especially vitamin C and polyphenols, which support immune and urinary tract health.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Definitive answers are slippery ground for men in his position.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Under the hopper of a massive grain bin, roughly 50,000 pounds of ground corn slide down a chute and into the truck’s open back.
    Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The fulfillment fee hinges on the number of units Amazon ships, as well as how large and how heavy those parcels are.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That makes airdropping humanitarian aid parcels – whether in wartime or in the midst of natural disasters – a tricky affair.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on plot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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