Synonyms of schemes

schemes 1 of 2

noun

plural of scheme

1

as in ruses

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end

an e-mail scheme to trick unwary Internet users into disclosing passwords and financial information

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ruses
• devices
• tricks
• stratagems
• artifices
• gambits
• ploys
• shenanigans
• wiles
• sleights of hand
• jigs
• sleights
• gimmicks
• dodges
• plays
• juggles
• knacks
• fetches
• deceptions
• subterfuges
• trickeries
• bluffs
• duplicities
• flimflams
• chicaneries
• hoaxes
• feints
• frauds
• swindles
• cunnings
• end runs
• crafts
• juggleries
• duperies
• fakeries
• skulduggeries
• cozenages
• crookeries
• fronts
• legerdemains
• gaffs
• smoke screens
• shams
• blinds

2

as in plots

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends

a scheme to kidnap the president's daughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plots
• conspiracies
• machinations
• intrigues
• strategies
• designs
• subterfuges
• trickeries
• manipulations
• stratagems
• maneuvers
• counterplots
• artifices
• programs
• systems
• contrivances
• cabals
• frame-ups
• rackets
• confederacies
• dodges
• counterconspiracies
• collusions
• drafts
• ground plans
• gimmicks
• tricks
• complicities
• rings
• cover-ups
• games
• connivances
• conspirations

3

as in plans

a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

a scheme to upgrade the city's mass transit system

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plans
• strategies
• blueprints
• programs
• projects
• systems
• designs
• arrangements
• proposals
• games
• ideas
• ways
• procedures
• master plans
• techniques
• recipes
• ground plans
• devices
• game plans
• plots
• road maps
• policies
• tactics
• purposes
• conspiracies
• intentions
• stratagems
• maneuvers
• protocols
• subterfuges
• specifications
• contrivances
• intents
• ruses
• means
• collusions
• tricks
• aims
• maps
• gambits
• formulas
• conceptions
• counterplans
• patterns
• diagrams
• platforms
• counterstrategies
• setups
• specifics
• layouts
• projets

schemes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of scheme

as in intrigues

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

• plots
• plans
• intrigues
• connives
• conspires
• contrives
• colludes
• devises
• designs
• engineers
• machinates
• hatches
• concocts
• maps
• maneuvers
• compasses
• counterplots
• manipulates
• shapes
• brews
• cooks (up)
• puts up
• frames
• jockeys
• lays out

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of schemes

Noun

Look at the jagged lines, the geometric shapes, the neon colour schemes, the tall collars, the billowing short sleeves. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026

These schemes exploit the emotional and financial strain people feel after a loss. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

Such self-certification schemes have the obvious limitation of relying on authors to tell the truth. — Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026

The disclosure underscores that simple holding, not complex schemes, is the primary reason for deferred taxes on large crypto portfolios. — Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

The Better Business Bureau says scammers are targeting renters and unsuspecting home sellers through sophisticated online schemes that have grown a lot over the years. — T.j. Anthony, CBS News, 29 June 2026

In some cases, a facility’s license may be suspended or revoked, but this does not prevent their owners from opening up a new (substance abuse) treatment facility nearby and continuing the predatory schemes there. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2026

With the rise of artificial intelligence, the schemes are getting more sophisticated and harder to detect, according to technology security experts and law-enforcement officials. — Ella Moore july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

New York officials say the unit is a national leader that targets complex, high-impact corporate schemes, and Attorney General Letitia James vows legal action, calling the cutoff an outrageous political attack. — Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Verb

Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time. — Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025

Marty, who was loosely based on real-life ping-pong legend Marty Reisman, schemes his way to competitions across the globe and hustles for pocket cash. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026

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

Chalamet embodies Marty’s arrant showmanship with an evident joy in performance, exactly as Marty himself schemes not only shamelessly but jubilantly. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025