Thesaurus results for PLOT

Q: How does the noun 'plot' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of plot are cabal , conspiracy , intrigue , and machination . While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. // an assassination plot

Q: When might 'cabal' be a better fit than 'plot'?

The synonyms cabal and plot are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. // a cabal among powerful senators

Q: In what contexts can 'conspiracy' take the place of 'plot'?

While in some cases nearly identical to plot , conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. // a conspiracy to fix prices

Q: When is 'intrigue' a more appropriate choice than 'plot'?

The words intrigue and plot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity. // backstairs intrigue

Q: When could 'machination' be used to replace 'plot'?

Although the words machination and plot have much in common, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means. // the machinations of a party boss

plot 1 of 2

noun

ˈplät

Definition of plot

as in scheme

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the Secret Service uncovered just in time a plot to assassinate the President

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in field

a small area of usually open land grew vegetables in a little plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in property

a small piece of land that is developed or available for development subdivided the old farm into plots for tract houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in story

the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work wrote novels in which the plot was always subordinate to the characterizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

plot

2 of 2

verb

ˈplät

as in to scheme

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends mobsters were caught plotting to take over the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of plot are cabal, conspiracy, intrigue, and machination. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

When might cabal be a better fit than plot?

The synonyms cabal and plot are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of plot?

While in some cases nearly identical to plot, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When is intrigue a more appropriate choice than plot?

The words intrigue and plot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When could machination be used to replace plot?

Although the words machination and plot have much in common, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of plot

Noun

Hansard and Irglová were both musicians but non-actors, and their subdued acting choices were later praised by critics for lending a humility and credibility to Once’s plot. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026 Save the tedious paperwork for the IRS, and leave the mysteries, suspense, and plot twists to Agatha Christie. — Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

Plus, the Office of Science and Technology Policy plots a venture capital-like model for the scientific grant process. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 July 2026 California icon Hot Dog on a Stick is plotting a comeback with a new owner, new outlets and new meats on sticks. — Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot

Noun

Jewelry giant Pandora is supporting the 20th-anniversary gala at Danish Royal Opera, as well as the New Talent program, providing jewelry for Taus and Anne-Sofie Madsen, who are about to graduate from the scheme.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Whether by virtue of personnel, schemes or play-calling, the team that had finished in the top six in NFL scoring the previous six seasons — including leading the league twice — has finished 15th, 15th and 21st the last three years.

— Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

The commission now appears poised to rule next month that the Georgia Republican Assembly and its affiliated political action committee failed to property disclose more than $187,000 in spending to support numerous candidates in recent years.

— David Wickert, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Almanza was charged with threatening to commit an act of mass violence on school property and is currently being held on a $1 million bond in the Faulkner County jail.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of property

Noun

Unlike the low-tech solution in American author Mary Mapes Dodge's 19th-century story, modern dike patrols are able to plot possible problems caused by drought in an app and send it to authorities who can then quickly carry our repairs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
That episode inspires a Gospel story where Jesus is asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat during a furious storm.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of story

Noun

That includes $4 million from Richard Uihlein, the Illinois billionaire and Trump supporter who often funds organizations and causes that promote election conspiracies and far-right candidates.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
With their claims of conspiracies and control of the wind, the Republicans have become the party of magical thinking.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Noun

My veterinarian ruled out a urinary tract infection and suggested adding another litter box and plug-in pheromones.

— Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
The woman’s doctors noted that two years before her brain abscess, she was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

Definition of tract

Noun

Such is the fate that befalls Meta, whose shares fell as much as 10% in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company missed earnings due to costs ballooning 55% (Meta’s stock later recovered some ground and was down 7%).

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
In 2012, China occupied Scarborough Shoal, a traditional Filipino fishing ground inside the Philippines’ EEZ, endangering the lives of Philippine personnel and fishermen in the process.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of ground

Noun

The new fiscal plan includes seeking a parcel tax beginning in 2027 and relies on an agreement with the teachers’ union that temporarily changes how the district pays for retiree health benefits.

— Chaewon Chung July 30, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
When finalizing the blend, Aden and his team considered a number of potential whiskey parcels, and accordingly different age statements.

— David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of parcel

Browse Nearby Words

plops

plot

plots

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of plot

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on plot

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes