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

It's also given rise to smuggling schemes to bring AI hardware into China, prompting international investigations and the arrests of many high-profile employees at companies such as Super Micro and Nvidia. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026

Derwick ultimately came under scrutiny by investigators in Venezuela, the US and Spain who suspected ties to money laundering schemes involving PDVSA funds. — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

For all the new faces and new schemes, the top priority from Niumatalolo and his staff is about something else. — Niles Hall, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

To combat the risk of fraud, the Biden administration created a plan to verify SIV information of individuals who could have connections to employers later suspected of such schemes. — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026

Once people know the patterns, these schemes become much easier to spot and shut down. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

The Steelers outgained Green Bay 385-160 and collected yardage in huge chunks at times on plays that had receivers running wide open against a vanilla defense more focused on fundamentals than elaborate schemes for a game that didn't count. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Santa Margarita coach Carson Palmer used to take advantage of throwing to the tight end when playing at USC and in the NFL, and there’s no doubt Gazzaniga feels comfortable in the Eagles’ offensive schemes. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Longtime safety Harrison Smith might not return for 2026, costing the Vikings defense its connective tissue, invaluable in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ chaotic schemes. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

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

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