as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the novel is about an elderly man and his scheming son who is impatient to inherit the family fortune
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in plotting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scheming
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
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
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
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Hawkins knows exactly how to play Laura’s cheery psychopathy and cunning cruelties, and Wong, in her first film role, gives Piper a spirited independence.—
Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Rigg’s voice is sharp and engrossing, her characters cunning but affable.—
Isle McElroy,
Vulture,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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The knotted fabric straps have an elevated look, making these cute enough to wear with your favorite sundresses and skirts.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
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Shows can only be so cute or funny or familiar or fresh.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
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In years to come, these five films will be studied and appreciated not only as models of cinematic stealth and resourcefulness but also as a series of wry, even whimsical, self-portraits—a triumph of imaginative reflection under duress.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 May 2025
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Abby is also designed in conscious contrast to the slight but quick Ellie, who often has to use stealth and wits to overpower her enemies.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Two European companies operate the mines with much secrecy, and are responsible for almost the entire global market of high-purity quartz, according to industry experts.—
Mike Belleme,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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View on Reddit In his post, the OP emphasized that his stance wasn't about secrecy but about a sense of privacy and control over personal information in the early stages of dating.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scheming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheming. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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