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
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2
as in plots
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends
a scheme to kidnap the president's daughter
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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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of schemes
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
More than 90 people, most with ties to the state’s Somali community, have been charged in fraud schemes targeting social services.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Federal prosecutors estimate the state lost billions of federal dollars in recent years to Medicaid theft schemes.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Next up, the government is going to give up managing Social Security funds safely and turn them over to private investors keen to profit from zany schemes like crypto and the AI bubble.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
More than 90 people have faced federal charges as a result of fraud schemes in the state that have been uncovered since 2021.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
At the same time, tonal schemes are gaining traction, Soft greens like olive leaf bring a sense of calm into entertaining spaces while deep hues such as burgundy, forest green, and charcoal add drama without sacrificing elegance.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Less time to scope out defensive schemes leads to pass-protection breakdowns.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
At the same time, other fraud schemes in state social service programs have been well documented.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
More than 90 people, most with ties to the state’s Somali community, have been charged in fraud schemes targeting social services.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Federal prosecutors estimate the state lost billions of federal dollars in recent years to Medicaid theft schemes.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Next up, the government is going to give up managing Social Security funds safely and turn them over to private investors keen to profit from zany schemes like crypto and the AI bubble.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
More than 90 people have faced federal charges as a result of fraud schemes in the state that have been uncovered since 2021.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
At the same time, tonal schemes are gaining traction, Soft greens like olive leaf bring a sense of calm into entertaining spaces while deep hues such as burgundy, forest green, and charcoal add drama without sacrificing elegance.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Less time to scope out defensive schemes leads to pass-protection breakdowns.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
At the same time, other fraud schemes in state social service programs have been well documented.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for schemes
Noun
-
The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The two plots of land up for rezoning are near Anglin Circle and Enon Avenue.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Many gardeners grow herbs in their garden plots, raised beds, or in containers.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many clubs across the English football pyramid, such as Manchester City and Leeds United, have posted on their websites about their Remembrance Day plans for this weekend.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
While it's left some passengers making backup plans and reserving rental cars, the flights canceled Friday represented just a small portion of overall flights nationwide.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Samsung says the sensor targets users who want professional-grade imaging from mobile devices.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Speaking to gadgets is often faster than typing, but Amazon and Nirva also see their devices as another means to gather data that can provide insights about a user’s life, though doing so will surely raise privacy concerns.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But other influencers are using the war as an opportunity to peddle antisemitic conspiracies.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Theories about this abound—all have their evidentiary shortcomings—but Greenblatt agrees with a common one that sees Marlowe traveling to France and uncovering Catholic conspiracies against the Crown.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Lightweight luggage, versatile clothing, and clever carry-on strategies that anticipate the little headaches most travelers overlook.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Despite over a century of investigation, there is still no cure, but advances in diagnostic tools, treatments and preventive strategies continue to offer hope for slowing the disease and improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Cherki is visibly excited by his spectators, eager to show off his tricks, until a coach comes into frame on the YouTube video and tells them their fun is over.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Cheo was a jokester and would play tricks on her, like pretending to be asleep, to lighten the mood.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Urban development in America has never been just about buildings, budgets, or blueprints.—
Fahad Zuberi,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
For the most part, these blueprints have been geared at spurring growth and unity as the nation transformed from a rural, agrarian economy to an urbanized, developed powerhouse.—
Shaoyu Yuan,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Schemes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schemes. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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