scheme 1 of 2

noun

ˈskēm How to pronounce scheme (audio)
Definition of schemenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plan
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective a scheme to upgrade the city's mass transit system

Synonyms & Similar Words

scheme

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun scheme contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scheme are design, plan, plot, and project. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

a scheme to defraud the government

When would design be a good substitute for scheme?

While the synonyms design and scheme are close in meaning, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

When is it sensible to use plan instead of scheme?

In some situations, the words plan and scheme are roughly equivalent. However, plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When is plot a more appropriate choice than scheme?

The synonyms plot and scheme are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

In what contexts can project take the place of scheme?

Although the words project and scheme have much in common, project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

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 scheme
Noun
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. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 The difference lies only in a special two-tone livery consisting of a red and cream paint scheme. — New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Odysseus, manly and strong, is catnip to all kinds of scheming women. — Jim Beckerman, USA Today, 16 July 2026 The true Daeron now graduates to a speaking role with the release of episode 4, as the scheming head of House Hightower now plots to put the young royal on the Iron Throne. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
  1. ruse
  2. conspiracy
  3. plan
  4. plot
  5. trick
  6. strategy
  7. device
  8. blueprint
Noun
  • Once Wanda’s ruse is uncovered, the real Vision (now sporting a white costume) is reanimated and has his full memory restored.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • His misdirection was part of an elaborate ruse to mask his transfer from Air Force One to a military fighter jet following intel that Iran may be targeting the president’s plane.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Deputies booked the third suspect in the case, 20-year-old Liam Fairlie, with conspiracy to commit a crime and furnishing marijuana to a minor.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And if Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann, minors in election conspiracies, Thomas’s wife, Ginni, majors in it, having explicitly urged lawmakers in two states to overturn Biden’s election.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Noun
  • Nuclear expansion could drive demand The expected increase in demand is linked in part to US plans to expand domestic nuclear power.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • If friends tug you into big plans, leave room for edits and ask for feedback tomorrow, since a pause protects your clever mood.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of plan
Verb
  • According to charging documents, the teens were allegedly plotting to rob Wright and displayed guns during a video call.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Which, again, is perfectly fine for parallel parking but not particularly helpful in trail course plotting.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of plot
Noun
  • Kluivert notched a hat-trick in the 10-1 thrashing of Italy’s Genoa, with Scott, Unal (two goals each) and David Brooks scoring too.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The trick is to hold the can 8 to 10 inches away, and spray in short bursts.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Crews arrived and immediately adopted a defensive strategy while trying to bring the blaze under control.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Amir Becker, Dream’s chief business and strategy officer, said the way the AI system operated in this latest case was alarming.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • Rather than trying to miniaturize the entire testing infrastructure into a small and convenient device, Biolyz uses a large, complex and expensive mass spectrometry technology.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Technology has significantly evolved since then, with 80% of 911 calls nationwide coming from wireless mobile devices rather than landlines tied to specific addresses.
    — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of device
Noun
  • But there's a risk in letting the college application checklist strategy become the blueprint for a teenager's entire high school experience.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The proposals slated to be heard at Tuesday’s San Jose City Council meeting are part of a four-year review of Envision San José 2040 — the city’s long-term blueprint governing land use, housing and growth first approved in 2011.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of blueprint

Phrases Containing scheme

Browse Nearby Words

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scheme
schemed
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Cite this Entry

“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scheme

Nglish: Translation of scheme for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scheme

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