Thesaurus results for SCHEME

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

scheme 1 of 2

noun

ˈskēm

Definition of scheme next

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

Relevance

as in conspiracy

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends a scheme to kidnap the president's daughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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

There are pending charges related to the fake electors scheme in state and federal courts in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Georgia, according to the Associated Press. —

Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024 As part of the scheme, which took place between 2018 and 2019, Pastor accepted $55,000 in bribes, a federal judge said at his sentencing last year. —

Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

Colin Farrell’s scheming villain was partially responsible for the institutionalization of Sofia Falcone and killed Alberto Falcone, and now he’s expanded his body count into the rival Maroni family, too. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024 The Duke of Sussex's narrative that his stepmother schemed to undermine him and Meghan while boosting herself has been explored by a hard-hitting new documentary in Britain. —

Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scheme

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme

Noun

Sunday outsmarted Adam and Hannah with a ruse at Tribal Council.

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
That was a ruse for Litton, who does not have a grandson, to get onto campus, Honea said.

Phil Helsel, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024