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scheme

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verb

as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends the town inspector had schemed to overlook the contractor's code violations in exchange for a substantial bribe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun scheme contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scheme are design, plan, plot, and project. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

a scheme to defraud the government

When would design be a good substitute for scheme?

While the synonyms design and scheme are close in meaning, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

When is it sensible to use plan instead of scheme?

In some situations, the words plan and scheme are roughly equivalent. However, plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When is plot a more appropriate choice than scheme?

The synonyms plot and scheme are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

In what contexts can project take the place of scheme?

Although the words project and scheme have much in common, project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

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 scheme
Noun
But their political scheme was thwarted when more than 51 Texas Democrats traveled to Chicago to stop the vote, causing anger from critics and praise from political allies who accused Republicans of gerrymandering and voter suppression. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 What ensues is an endless cycle of backroom deals and shameless bribes, even costing Charlie his beloved Garbage Pail Kids collection in a scheme that ultimately goes nowhere. James Mercadante, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
Whether Eva is sparring with her half-sister, scheming with her mother, or building bridges with her biological father, Michelle embraces every color of her character’s rainbow, consistently igniting the screen with her fiery, undeniable presence. Andy Swift, TVLine, 13 Aug. 2025 Stories of haughty people scheming and plucky servants improving alarm clocks attract smaller audiences than, say, trench warfare. Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
  • Or is this all one very expensive and beautifully shot Suzy Homemaker-esque ruse?
    Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
  • If all goes well, the grass will sprout before the birds figure out your ruse.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • She’s also charged with conspiracy and solicitation to commit first-degree murder for Markel’s death.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Pagan, who pleaded not guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges, was suspended from his patrol officer’s job without pay pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, according to the Coral Gables Police Department.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The city also agreed to help remove legal blocks to the razing of the Odd Fellows Building, including possible landmark designation, once the hotel company figured out plans for the space.
    Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In 2021, Xi had announced plans for 10 Luban workshops in SCO countries over the next three years.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Casting the sweet-faced and unflappably mellow Dano — Eli Sunday his Vadim Baranov is not — as Putin’s kingmaker also assures that Assayas isn’t keen on high drama, with conversations in conference rooms plotting totalitarian takeover rarely rising above library-voice level.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Neighbors said they were shaken to learn that the killer had been plotting crimes there undetected, raising questions about whether anyone had noticed the cache of weapons building up inside the rental.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Some analysts are forecasting the company to raise prices on its devices even after all Cook has done to avoid the worst of the tariffs.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In my limited time with the device, the screen was easy to see indoors, but it got washed out in direct sunlight.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The session will allow the Republicans to remove one of two remaining Democratic Congressional seats in the state, bringing another victory for Trump’s national redistricting strategy.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Maintaining control of the House will be vital for Vance’s strategy of securing his own political standing by racking up wins for Trump.
    Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • So is a certain pride in what one is able to get away with, the thrill of learning new tricks and showing them off.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The trick, according to Brooks, is to think like an entrepreneur and treat your life like a startup.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For aspiring thought leaders, this path offers a potent blueprint.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • That means the studio already has an awards campaign blueprint for Johnson to follow.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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