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
Dave Smith, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
The scheme came to light thanks to monitoring services that track bets and look for unusual patterns.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Dissecting film and scheming up plays went from duty to obsession.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Noun
Police are looking for the employee, who no longer works for Avis Budget and is wanted on grand larceny and scheme to defraud charges.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
The scheme came to light thanks to monitoring services that track bets and look for unusual patterns.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
In Return From the Ashes (1965), Eggar schemed to murder her stepmother (Ingrid Thulin), a concentration camp survivor.
—Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Dissecting film and scheming up plays went from duty to obsession.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scheme
Noun
-
But federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say the ex-athletes and all the other players were in on a ruse, using technology to rig the outcome.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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But the ruse hits a snag when Taylor's boss (Tia Mowry) starts to question Hugh Mann's credentials, and Taylor starts dating the son of the resort owner (New Amsterdam's Ryan Eggold).—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Jones, now 22, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, conspiracy and two weapons offenses.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But last week, the company was declared a transnational criminal organization by United States authorities, and Chen was charged in absentia in New York with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, along with several associates.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Department of Agriculture's funding lapse plan was later removed from the agency's website.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The five cities are believed to be the first of more to come across ICE's 24 field offices nationwide, according to officials familiar with the plans.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On Monday, Tchiroma accused the government of plotting to arrest him and posted images on social media of snipers near his residence - claims that could not be independently verified.—
NPR,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Identify fundamentally sound equities or ETFs with steady uptrends and plot their 50-day EMA.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That means more than one of every eight of Kroger's 103 stores in its Cincinnati-Dayton division (which includes Northern Kentucky) have the digital devices so far.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
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Nielsen, which tracks television ratings, now includes more modern devices in its tracking, an adjustment that has been expected to show higher sports viewership across the board.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The approach mirrors Xbox’s Play Anywhere strategy and recent messaging that strict exclusivity is outdated.—
Alex Harrington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
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While the Hong Kong listing should enhance the company’s liquidity and visibility, Zephirin added that a valuation re-rating is unlikely without meaningful gains in capital efficiency or strategy execution.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the weeks leading up to Halloween, Newman continues to share wig tips ahead of partying and trick-or-treating.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Apple and caramel dips Apples are a top-tier fall fruit and a healthy, on-theme choice for trick-or-treaters.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The group is building the first facility in Ottawa and plans to replicate the blueprint in cities throughout Canada.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
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Roan’s approach has changed the blueprint for tour-look development, marking a stark departure from the standard pop-star playbook followed by the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Madonna, who generally have one wardrobe for the entirety of their tour.—
Katie Weisman,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scheme. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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