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
Greta Cross, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
For investors who can’t resist the allure of a beat-the-market scheme, our table offers, reluctantly, factor funds in a few different flavors.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
Othello sees Denzel star as the titular character, joined by Gyllenhaal as the scheming Iago and Molly Osborne as Othello's wife Desdemona.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
In 2018, Billy McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison for engaging in several fraudulent schemes related to the first Fyre Festival.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
For investors who can’t resist the allure of a beat-the-market scheme, our table offers, reluctantly, factor funds in a few different flavors.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Washington, here, is the title character, a military general whose personnel choices have enraged Gyllenhaal’s scheming underling.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
Othello sees Denzel star as the titular character, joined by Gyllenhaal as the scheming Iago and Molly Osborne as Othello's wife Desdemona.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
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Frank This character doing all the heavy lifting to keep Rick’s ruse afloat and Sam Rockwell doing all the heavy lifting to keep this plot interesting: Thank you for your service, gentlemen.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2025
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This is, of course, a ruse to put Rick in the same room with Jim, who, according to his mother on her deathbed, killed his do-gooder dad.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Lori Vallow Daybell convicted of murder Vallow Daybell was charged in May 2021 with the murders of her children and conspiracy to commit the murder of Tammy Daybell.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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Nearly two years after her initial sentencing in Idaho, Lori is now preparing for her trial in Arizona after being charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Education Department recently reopened those IDR plan applications, following a period during which the plans were unavailable.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
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However, this safe harbor provision would only be available if there were concrete plans to replace safety-critical and health-critical SIRS assets with remaining lives of less than three years, which would include roofs, plumbing, fire alarms and other safety equipment.—
Bruce Strom,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Less than a month into the job, Trump and the Japanese Prime Minister plotted their response to a North Korean missile launch in the open-air patio of Mar a Lago, photos of which ended up on Facebook.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
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Charity workers had plotted the heights and weights of Daasanach children on World Health Organization charts—the same ones our pediatrician used to monitor my daughter’s growth—and determined that more than two-thirds of the kids were malnourished.—
Manvir Singh,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While that sounds obscure, the team’s work is foundational for advanced technological research in areas like computer chip manufacturing and medical diagnostic devices.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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For safe manufacturers and resellers of eclipse glasses and filters for optical devices, including cameras and smartphones, check out this list curated by the American Astronomical Society.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Through countless films, TV series, Amblin events, awards campaigns and our public relations strategy—this is where Marvin came alive.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
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Being open to change and embracing new strategies can set the foundation for long-term success.—
Adam Fineberg,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What Dangerous or Tricky People Might Do Ruda says kids should recognize common tricks that dangerous or tricky person might use to catch them off guard.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
31 Mar. 2025
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If not, there will be a new game released tomorrow with another chance to guess the categories, and Newsweek will be back with more tips and tricks to help you along!—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Heritage Foundation is widely known for creating Project 2025, a 900-page Christian nationalist blueprint for the federal government with aims of virtually eliminating LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights.—
James Factora,
Them.,
2 Apr. 2025
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The Power Of Brand Vulnerability Val Kilmer’s trajectory in the 2010s and 2020s serves as a compelling blueprint for legacy brands navigating reinvention in real time.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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