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
Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
As part of the news, NATAS unveiled a new design scheme for all of its Emmy ceremonies, including the Daytime event.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Highly theatrical and exceedingly ambitious, Jocelyn can frequently be found breaking out into song or scheming for ways to elevate her family’s status.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
In the grand scheme of things, these places are not all that far apart.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
As part of the news, NATAS unveiled a new design scheme for all of its Emmy ceremonies, including the Daytime event.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
His game fits a gap-based, downhill scheme the Lions seem to be moving toward under Drew Petzing.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Highly theatrical and exceedingly ambitious, Jocelyn can frequently be found breaking out into song or scheming for ways to elevate her family’s status.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
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Who is the ‘hero,’ the person who is not in on the ruse?—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Again, conspiracy to commit murder and the murder itself.—
Marcelena Spencer,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Jurors found Song, Morris, the Sotos, Hill, Batten, Rueda and Evetts guilty of rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and using and carrying explosives during a riot.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The nurturing Moon enters your 11th House of Comradeship, inviting caring outreach, low-key check-ins, and sharing plans that fit your energy and budget.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
If that is no longer an option, then the public deserves to know what the alternative plan is.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The images of the film are firmly planted in the beauty of the Northwest, and some sequences (as when Robert and his wife Gladys plot out land for their cabin with stones) depict a hope for the future.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The Justice Department called the violence an attack plotted by antifa operatives, but attorneys for the accused denied that characterization, saying there were no antifa associations and that there was merely a demonstration with fireworks before gunshots broke out.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If your complexion feels dry or irritated, any Illiyoon product or treatment will pretty much do the trick.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
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To help break down how to apply mascara correctly, Gray shares her best methods and tricks.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That 8-2 aggregate defeat by Paris Saint-Germain should be a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment for those owners and executives who have spent the past few years congratulating themselves on a recruitment strategy that increasingly has the look of a social experiment.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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Produced for under $10 million, the film is leaning into a grassroots release strategy built around schools, educators and families, including a Barnes & Noble partnership that put tickets in the hands of book buyers.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The licensing agreement with Veo would last at least three years, with Veo paying the city $250 per scooter device each year for up to 9,000 of them deployed throughout the city.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The device, developed by a research team at Wuhan University’s Satellite Navigation and Positioning Technology Research Centre, is highly precise, losing just one second over 30,000 years.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the effort and energy Texas showed against North Carolina State provides a blueprint for tournament play, said Miller.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
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The story included detailed claims about the man drawing blueprints in the sand and communicating with dolphins.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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