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
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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
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3
as in plan
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective
a scheme to upgrade the city's mass transit system
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scheme
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
To do that, though, the Panthers need to be convinced that playmaker is more than just a role player and can truly elevate the offense within Canales’ scheme.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025
Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
Between the godmothers’ grief and a less-than-adequate police department, Lila will have to seek justice on her own terms and figure out which scheming godmother the vendetta was meant for.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
In the scheme, Millett posted photos of herself and other participants holding up cash on Instagram, recruiting women to go into the banks and demand funds.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
To do that, though, the Panthers need to be convinced that playmaker is more than just a role player and can truly elevate the offense within Canales’ scheme.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Robert Trebor, who portrayed the serial killer known as the Son of Sam in a CBS telefilm and the scheming merchant Salmoneus on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its sister series, Xena: Warrior Princess, has died.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
Between the godmothers’ grief and a less-than-adequate police department, Lila will have to seek justice on her own terms and figure out which scheming godmother the vendetta was meant for.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
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Richie buys Harry's ruse regarding Tommy's murder, but there's a catch.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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The wedding started as an elaborate three-way ruse concocted by Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese American man; his white boyfriend, Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein); and Wei-Wei, an undocumented Chinese immigrant.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The four were convicted on two counts each of kidnapping and robbery and one count each of conspiracy to kidnap for ransom.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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He also is found guilty of first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson.—
Todd Pendleton,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Trump has upended the global trading system that has been in place for over 75 years with a plan for tariffs on products from across the world.—
Chris Prentice,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Amid an atmosphere of near-zero interest rates, venture-capital investors were drawn to grand plans and messianic visions, both of which Thurston was skilled at providing.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Victoria Goodwin has accepted a plea deal for her involvement in plotting her estranged husband Aaron Goodwin’s murder.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Leaders assume everything is fine, not realizing that high performers are masters at appearing fine while already plotting their next move.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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On Easter Sunday, this paper contained an editorial that employed the same literary device: It was penned by an angel.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
21 Apr. 2025
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In April, the award-winning actress was named a global brand ambassador for Merz Aesthetics’ Ultherapy Prime, an ultrasound device FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, as well as other areas.—
Jackie Fields,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, Keena said that strategy may not be as effective this time around.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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Outpacing services and community expectations while chasing tax dollars is not a long-term winning strategy.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.—
The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
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But back to the task at hand: One trick to schooling yourself while keeping things fun is taking a tour — or a few of them.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Brookings Institution, a centrist think tank, has presented its own bipartisan blueprint for making the system solvent.—
Dennis W. Jansen,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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The April 9 Executive Order The April 9 Executive Order goes far beyond non-binding DOJ Task Force advocacy, by creating a blueprint for direct government action against anticompetitive rules.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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