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
In another scheme, former Commerce City Manager Edgar Pascual Cisneros provided $45,000 in bribes to Pacheco to secure a permit for another marijuana company and was promised $235,000 as part of the deal, prosecutors said. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 New scheme The Horned Frogs’ new offense under Gordon Sammis is supposed to be more balanced, physical and efficient. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
When companies scheme to cut competition, costs go up, choices go down, our economy suffers, and every day Americans end up paying more for less. — Rob Bonta, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 Corey Hawkins as Polybus Polybus is another one of Penelope’s many suitors who scheme to take her hand and kingdoms for themselves. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 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
  • There’s a fun bit when Green pulls her badge to walk Reacher out through the police cordon, pretending to have placed him under arrest, but the ruse doesn’t last long.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Patterson was accused of pretending to eat the same portion, and of feigning illness in an elaborate ruse to suggest she’d also been poisoned.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • And in a related case, former union executive Tyler Brown pleaded guilty in May 2024 to one count of racketeering conspiracy.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Stewart went to prison for five months after being found guilty on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to the sale of a stock.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Noun
  • Alignment on a plan does not rescue a plan that does not compound customer value.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Vikings will use him on special teams and as a game-plan-specific blitzer.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of plan
Verb
  • There’s also growing evidence that building a career inside a firm continues to be a more reliable route to success than trying to plot a path across companies.
    — Matthew Bidwell, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Proper later allegedly admitted to plotting the UFC 250 attack and described it in full to the FBI, according to the criminal complaint.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of plot
Noun
  • Treister had a smart sense of humor, often performing magic tricks for anyone who would come over to his home, his family said.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.
    — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • That's a step in the right direction as far as we're concerned, because Jim Cramer has been after Nvidia to institute an Apple-style stock repurchase strategy.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ahead of her Edinburgh appearance, Lyvers talked to THR about her team’s original content strategy, why ambition and characters are key, Sky’s film slate and how important, or not, franchises and star power are.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • In complementary work, the POWERlab developed multi-channel GaN devices that spread current across several conduction paths, lowering resistance and reducing overheating.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Emergency workers continued to extinguish fires and identify and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, Zelenskyy added.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of device
Noun
  • At its core, Vermejo is a conservation laboratory developing the blueprint for rewilding in North America—the tourism element simply helps to fund it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The 13-track project, which later came with accompanying music videos, became the blueprint for Beyoncé's superstar status after her successful debut studio album became the launchpad.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of blueprint

Phrases Containing scheme

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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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scheme

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scheme

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