scheming 1 of 3

scheming

2 of 3

noun

scheming

3 of 3

verb

present participle of scheme
as in conniving
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

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 scheming
Adjective
Many viewed him as being manipulated by his scheming mother, dowager Queen Frederica. Demetris Nellas, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Jan. 2023 This faux-fur pull-through scarf is warm, fuzzy, and tres chic for all your scheming needs. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2022
Verb
Jacobson played the scheming private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985-87, the CBS primetime soap about a wealthy California wine family. Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Dec. 2024 Most regular users won't encounter scheming in their normal use of the technology. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for scheming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheming
Adjective
  • Reading it, one is reminded, once again, that Trump is a politician who is cunning but semiliterate and ignorant.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Sign up The abusive couple were cunning, said Allison Pearson in The Daily Telegraph.
    The Week UK, theweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Pair the bottoms with a cute bodysuit or match the top with skirts or shorts, and you're left with multiple outfits in one.
    Jennifer Vermeer, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025
  • And the town of Brenham is filled with cute boutiques and restaurants.
    Cynthia Drake, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • One such moment was a nighttime raid during a siege, where inconsistent stealth and a poor auto-save system collided, creating one of the most frustrating ten-minute sections in any video game.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
  • In golden retrievers, a 'sneak attack' often refers to a playful behavior where the dog approaches a toy or person with exaggerated stealth, crouching low and moving slowly before pouncing.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The White House has never released a list of DOGE’s leadership, such as people reporting directly to Musk or Gleason, let alone a full list of staff members, adding to a culture of secrecy around DOGE and prompting news organizations to begin compiling lists on their own of dozens of staffers.
    David Ingram, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The College of Cardinals has been called to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope under a veil of secrecy.
    Nora Colomer, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scheming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheming. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scheming

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!