1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
an e-mail scheme to trick unwary Internet users into disclosing passwords and financial information
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2
as in conspiracy
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends
a scheme to kidnap the president's daughter
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3
as in plan
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective
a scheme to upgrade the city's mass transit system
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scheme
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
The charges are tied to a kickback scheme Fernandes Anderson carried out at City Hall two years ago.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 29 June 2025
Linda Sun, the former aide to Gov. Hochul and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of working as a Chinese agent, also schemed to steer $35 million in state contracts to two PPE vendors run by a cousin and her husband at the height of the COVID pandemic, according to new court filings.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
At the center of the scheme was a plan to funnel a total of $1.3 million in do-nothing contracts to Madigan’s 13th Ward cronies.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
The charges are tied to a kickback scheme Fernandes Anderson carried out at City Hall two years ago.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
Verb
The finale's final moments bring viewers back to the Buckley fish house, where Belle finds scheming developer Wes Benson (Dave Annable) tied up and beaten to a pulp by Emmett.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 29 June 2025
Linda Sun, the former aide to Gov. Hochul and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of working as a Chinese agent, also schemed to steer $35 million in state contracts to two PPE vendors run by a cousin and her husband at the height of the COVID pandemic, according to new court filings.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
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The scammers could also use your account to scam others out of money with the same verification ruse for passengers and drivers.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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The elaborate ruse was likely an effort to steal cryptocurrency, which Lazarus has become known for.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2025
Noun
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One co-conspirator was charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy for attempting to conceal and destroy evidence and faces up to 10 years in prison, The Center Square reported.—
Bethany Blankley,
The Washington Examiner,
11 July 2025
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Worse, she’s being painted as a de facto Deep State operative in an administration obsessed with Deep State conspiracies lurking under every desk.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Noun
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In a city where so many big plans have gone so badly for 30 years, San Diego residents shouldn’t just be wary when another bold proposal comes long — they should be terrified.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Faced with having to cut services for the first time in its history, the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board solidified a plan July 10 with the Finance Committee that spares three crucial service programs.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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These tariff rates range between 25% and 50%, with the highest tariff reserved for Brazil, where Trump has objected to the prosecution of the country’s former, right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
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At the behest of Cook, the group was beginning to plot a show to save the beloved Shepherd’s Bush concert venue Bush Hall.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Granted, lots of iPhones can run iOS 26, but there are also so notable devices missing from the list.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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He is expected to grow out of the three support devices after undergoing a few surgeries.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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As of now, both strategies appear to be running on parallel tracks in Washington.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 July 2025
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This has become something of a state religion—as much a matter of ideology as of strategy.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The universe is playing tricks on you this week, Scorpio, especially in relation to career matters, your public persona or situations involving authority.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 July 2025
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But this is an inane question, inanely phrased, because your letters so admirably inform me of your version of tricks.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Seeding the charity with £20 million of his own money, Hamilton began constructing a blueprint for systemic change, tackling barriers in education, employment and social mobility.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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The plans serve as blueprints for wildlife conservation at the state level and include regional and national conservation goals, officials said.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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