Thesaurus results for PLOT

Q: How does the noun 'plot' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of plot are cabal , conspiracy , intrigue , and machination . While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. // an assassination plot

Q: When might 'cabal' be a better fit than 'plot'?

The synonyms cabal and plot are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. // a cabal among powerful senators

Q: In what contexts can 'conspiracy' take the place of 'plot'?

While in some cases nearly identical to plot , conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. // a conspiracy to fix prices

Q: When is 'intrigue' a more appropriate choice than 'plot'?

The words intrigue and plot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity. // backstairs intrigue

Q: When could 'machination' be used to replace 'plot'?

Although the words machination and plot have much in common, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means. // the machinations of a party boss

plot 1 of 2

noun

ˈplät

Definition of plot next

as in scheme

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the Secret Service uncovered just in time a plot to assassinate the President

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in field

a small area of usually open land grew vegetables in a little plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in property

a small piece of land that is developed or available for development subdivided the old farm into plots for tract houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in story

the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work wrote novels in which the plot was always subordinate to the characterizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

plot

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verb

ˈplät

as in to scheme

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends mobsters were caught plotting to take over the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of plot are cabal, conspiracy, intrigue, and machination. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

When might cabal be a better fit than plot?

The synonyms cabal and plot are sometimes interchangeable, but cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of plot?

While in some cases nearly identical to plot, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When is intrigue a more appropriate choice than plot?

The words intrigue and plot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When could machination be used to replace plot?

Although the words machination and plot have much in common, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

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 plot

Noun

Other features of the sprawling plot include a swimming pool, terraced patios, gardens, woodland trails, a natural pond, and a waterfall. —

Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024 The graffiti expresses anger at the fraught nature of this particular plot, which sits on tribal land, but is technically owned by the state of Arizona. —

Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Beginning in December 2020, Rhodes and other conspirators plotted to stop Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election, the prosecutors alleged. —

Will Carless, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024 Brehme and Maldini finished third on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, but neither would have spent time plotting their way to the top of the podium. —

Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot

Noun

The stunning corruption scheme finally came to an end in September 2013, when authorities tricked his NCIS mole into thinking the most serious investigations had been closed and then invited Francis to San Diego for a meeting with Navy officials.

Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
In the last few days, the intelligence agencies have issued further public notifications that—presumably as part of the same scheme—Russia was behind bogus videos falsely depicting someone in Pennsylvania ripping up ballots and Haitians illegally voting in Georgia.

The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024