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
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
In the larger scheme of things, this is an example of a good internal boundary.
—Hope Hunt, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Petzing should be able to scheme things open for LaPorta the way Johnson did.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
The scheme was unveiled last year by Cate Blanchett and the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)’s Hubert Bals Fund.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
In the larger scheme of things, this is an example of a good internal boundary.
—Hope Hunt, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Joy Randolph, follows a desperate gallery owner (Portman) who schemes to sell a dead man as art at Art Basel in Miami.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Petzing should be able to scheme things open for LaPorta the way Johnson did.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
-
Seth Rollins has been out with a legitimate injury, but after his ruse to win at SummerSlam, anything is possible with him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Federal agents are currently roaming cities under the ruse of going after murderers and rapists but are instead pulling anyone who doesn't fit their idea of what an American looks like out of cars, homes and schools using thuggish methods.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 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
-
Dumas has worked for Valero for four years but just moved to the Benicia location from Arizona a year ago, just a few months before the energy company announced a possible plan to cease or idle operations.—
Amanda Hari,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The plan is to develop a cost-effective, energy-efficient technology for making innovative plastics based on polybutylene succinate (PBS) which are made entirely out of organic waste.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But in wrapping up a six-month investigation last month, independent counsel Cho’s team concluded that Yoon plotted for over a year to impose martial law to eliminate his political rivals and monopolize power.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Just last month, police charged a 17-year-old in Indiana linked to TCC who was allegedly plotting to carry out an attack.—
Lauren Fichten,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So much grunt routes through a trick all-wheel-drive system that actually uses a two-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the front wheels, in addition to a more traditional eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle routing power to the rears.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Our mother figures and friends can serve as the best sources of inspiration for beauty tips and tricks, thanks to many years of trial and error.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
There are other factors that contribute to layoffs aside from new technology, like overhiring, the state of the economy and a shift in corporate strategy.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That restriction has limited what microscopic devices can do.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Like all WiiM speakers, the Sound Lite can be used as a standalone device or paired with with devices like WiiM Sound, WiiM Amps, WiiM Streamers and the WiiM Sub Pro, creating a true stereo setup with separate left and right channels.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As the blueprint and the standard, Rihanna hasn’t generally responded to these siren calls from the rest of the industry.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Sometimes, a yacht comes along that becomes an industry blueprint.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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