plot 1 of 2

Definition of plotnext
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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
Watching thrillers or murders on TV (and now on OTT platforms) and turning into an uncritical enthusiast of plot in the evenings is similarly indispensable to openness to plotlessness during the day. Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026 The cemetery was at the center of a major scandal in when it was uncovered in 2009 that cemetery workers had been illegally digging up and moving bodies to resell the plots. Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Investigators determined that Melton and the younger Austin plotted to kill the 55-year-old victim and took the pair into custody six days later. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026 Throughout his snooping and jet-setting, Pine becomes infatuated with Roper’s girlfriend Jed (Elizabeth Debicki), who eventually learns his real identity and begins to plot a way out of her toxic relationship. Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot
Noun
  • Sammis runs a pro-style scheme that prioritizes a strong run game and being efficient with the passing attack.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff, pleaded not guilty in November in a scheme to enrich her friend Sean McCluskie, a longtime deputy to former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, using money funneled from one of Becerra’s dormant campaign accounts.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Coming off two straight nine-win seasons, Dykes has seen enough confirmation on the field that TCU has plenty of talent already inside the building; most of it just needs to continue to develop.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Borregales banged home a 35-yard field to give the home team a 6-3 lead heading into halftime.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • California planned for a measured approach to managing its growing wolf population, setting aside funds to pay for the inevitable attacks on livestock as well as the cost of helping ranchers deter the animals from settling near their properties.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Eight affordable multifamily housing properties in Connecticut are now slated to be powered with solar energy.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This two-story home provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and three baths.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In the show, Lower, 40, plays Helly Riggs/Helena Eagan, who tries to uncover the company's web of conspiracies with her coworkers.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • In their charging documents, prosecutors allege Maduro, his wife and his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, engaged in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy and partnered with cartels designated as terrorist groups.
    Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Russia had been demanding vast tracts of Ukrainian territory in exchange for peace, and on the call Lavrov refused to back down.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Bluejepa, from GlaxoSmithKline, is a tablet that is also approved to treat urinary tract infections.
    Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Including parking, amenities, and ground-floor retail, the $140 million structure spans roughly 420,000 square feet.
    Mark Dee January 13, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The university broke ground on the $200 million, eight-story law and education building in July 2023.
    Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The two undeveloped parcels, known as Blocks 5 and 20, each cover about 1 acre on opposite sides of Pier View Way north of Mission Avenue.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Every month was this parcel of books written by some of the most important names in fiction, and then all these new voices.
    Scarlett Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on plot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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