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
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 May 2025
That puts an emphasis on mental reps for Loveland as he’s introduced to the scheme this weekend.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
Julia Moore, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Everyone knows but Nicole, and for weeks, Leslie has been lying, scheming, and slinking around the fictional town of Fairmont in various wigs to maximize the impact of the eventual reveal.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
Johnson also fits really well within Will Hardy’s scheme, as a player who can fly off screens and knock down shots at an elite level.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 May 2025
That puts an emphasis on mental reps for Loveland as he’s introduced to the scheme this weekend.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
Verb
Brick arrived at the hospital where Sonny was being treated just in time to save the mob boss' life, as an assassin posing as a nurse was scheming to take him out.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Everyone knows but Nicole, and for weeks, Leslie has been lying, scheming, and slinking around the fictional town of Fairmont in various wigs to maximize the impact of the eventual reveal.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
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Can Charity, who is not exactly mentally stable, maintain the ruse forever?—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
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Despite multiple interviews, background checks, and reference calls, the ruse held until malware activity triggered an alert.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The plaintiffs alleged that the petroleum companies also had participated in a conspiracy to deny that climate change is happening and to convince the public to keep using fossil fuels.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
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He was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of extortion, six counts of honest services mail fraud, three counts of conspiracy to falsify records, 19 counts of falsification of records, and 17 counts of false statements.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The routes connect smaller airports across the U.S. and are part of Breeze's rapid growth plan to meet travel demand.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
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However, the plan does not address several costly tax cuts proposed by President Trump in his 2024 campaign, including tax-free tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Until his death in Pennsylvania last year, Gülen, a Turkish Muslim preacher who was accused of plotting a coup against President Recep Tayyip in 2016, was wanted as a terrorist leader in Turkey and Pakistan.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
14 May 2025
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The Keeling Curve, a graph that plots concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere over time, uses measurements taken at Mau Loa Observatory, starting in 1958.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
13 May 2025
Noun
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After Cecilie reported Oscar, the police went to the Hoffmanns' house to seize the devices Oscar had access to.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
16 May 2025
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The highest tier, which is $20.99 a month, includes the ability to stream on four devices and offers 4K Ultra HD video quality and 100 downloads.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Other 1816 benefits: • More strategy, more intrigue.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
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The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee responded to the GOP’s strategy by pointing to Trump.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
14 May 2025
Noun
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The trick is to find multiple locations that are close enough together and decide on a menu that feels cohesive.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
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The trick will be whether the Bruins are paying for a career year or reliable future performance.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The blueprint emphasizes reforming U.S. international assistance programs, not cutting them.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2025
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The genetic blueprints that provide insights into the essence of ourselves and our families deserve stronger legal solutions — ones that protect patients’ rights while considering ethical implications for family members.—
Lauren B. Solberg,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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