1
as in ruses
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 plots
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends
a scheme to kidnap the president's daughter
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3
as in plans
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 intrigues
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 schemes
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Investigations by a Milan court that uncovered ties of luxury brands such as Loro Piana, Valentino, Dior and Giorgio Armani, among others, to subcontractors involved in sweatshop schemes have raised concerns about the industry’s ability to manage its supply chains effectively.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
As increasingly sophisticated data breaches, phishing schemes, credential stuffing attacks and other cyber threats rise in regularity, more users are being impacted.
—Rhon Daguro, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
There were over 70 transfers that came to Chapel Hill, and putting together a new program with new schemes certainly doesn’t happen right away.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Dixon is familiar with Belichick’s schemes, having played for his son Steve, who was Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2024.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Anyone who serves the Israeli enemy and its schemes, aids its crimes, and seeks to enable it to commit atrocities against our people cannot be supported—except by a traitor, a traitor like him, trying to pave the way for it.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
In April, a CrowdStrike executive said the company was uncovering North Korean IT worker schemes almost daily.
—PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
Of the core four members of KOTH's alley gang, including series star Hank Hill (voiced by co-creator Mike Judge), Boomhauer (also Judge), and Bill Dauterive (Stephen Root), Dale's penchant for magical thinking and creatively inept schemes marked him as an enduring fan favorite.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
The operation involved multiple money laundering schemes, often involving cryptocurrencies.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Investigations by a Milan court that uncovered ties of luxury brands such as Loro Piana, Valentino, Dior and Giorgio Armani, among others, to subcontractors involved in sweatshop schemes have raised concerns about the industry’s ability to manage its supply chains effectively.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
As increasingly sophisticated data breaches, phishing schemes, credential stuffing attacks and other cyber threats rise in regularity, more users are being impacted.
—Rhon Daguro, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
There were over 70 transfers that came to Chapel Hill, and putting together a new program with new schemes certainly doesn’t happen right away.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Dixon is familiar with Belichick’s schemes, having played for his son Steve, who was Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2024.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Anyone who serves the Israeli enemy and its schemes, aids its crimes, and seeks to enable it to commit atrocities against our people cannot be supported—except by a traitor, a traitor like him, trying to pave the way for it.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
In April, a CrowdStrike executive said the company was uncovering North Korean IT worker schemes almost daily.
—PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
Of the core four members of KOTH's alley gang, including series star Hank Hill (voiced by co-creator Mike Judge), Boomhauer (also Judge), and Bill Dauterive (Stephen Root), Dale's penchant for magical thinking and creatively inept schemes marked him as an enduring fan favorite.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for schemes
Noun
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Episode 4 finds both Ellen and Julia throwing themselves headlong into plans that require them to keep up major ruses.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Back testing reveals large gaps between the dot-plots and reality.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Nilson expanded his Plain City, Utah, development by negotiating with Weber County, which permitted him to construct more starter homes on smaller plots that would typically remain vacant.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The plans and the construction underway have come as welcome news to community leaders who have long been trying to preserve the history of Pan Am.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Google to challenge order Google criticized the ruling and plans to appeal.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some analysts are forecasting the company to raise prices on its devices even after all Cook has done to avoid the worst of the tariffs.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
All devices are slated for release in Europe shortly, and Roborock says that the robot lawn mowers will come to the US eventually.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As with many space conspiracies, a few evocative images plus some real (but unrelated) history can fuel a story that’s hard to shake.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Sanseito was born on YouTube in 2020 with a message trafficking in vaccine conspiracies.—
Mireya Solís,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Fall in Michigan means less and less daylight as the season goes on and for many that signals the start of seasonal mental health struggles, though coping strategies can help, experts say.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Companies responded by jettisoning a few mean executives, changing their internal communications strategies, and retraining bosses to be nicer.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From sleight-of-hand tricks to daring stunts, the afternoon is designed to keep the laughs and gasps coming.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even if your furry friend has already mastered the obedience basics, try adding some new party tricks to their command repertoire.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The machinations violated the NBA’s salary cap rules.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Montas’ trip to the IL simplifies some roster machinations for this year’s Mets, but losing him as even an option for 2026 or modest eat-most-of-the-money trade bait this winter would hurt.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Schemes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schemes. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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