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

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 plot

Noun

Maybe some person will be presumptuous enough to wonder aloud what might have influenced the plot of this book. —

Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 The plot reportedly revolves around a mayoral candidate and his wife who grapple with the kidnapping of their son. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

Increasingly disillusioned with the organization, Cox began to plot his escape. —

Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025 He’s also plotted the satellite deorbits in a graph, which shows a large spike in recent months. —

Michael Kan, PCMAG, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for plot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot

Noun

When Tony White left after the regular season for Florida State, Nebraska lost a defensive tactician and a coordinator who brought an effective scheme to the Blackshirts.

— Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
What’s needed now are more flexible funding schemes and opportunities that will allow Latvian productions to be competitive on the global market.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025