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Definition of plotnext
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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

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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

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
With that in mind, how Welbeck fares against Leeds in comparison to Dominic Calvert-Lewin — the joint top scorers among English strikers in the Premier League on 13 goals, and candidates as No 9 back-up for Harry Kane with the national team — is an intriguing sub-plot to the fixture. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 15 May 2026 This is the crude Sheridan plot machine in action. Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Verb
Awareness of risk from terror plots is high in the city after a 21-year-old Austrian man accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group pleaded guilty to plotting to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024. ABC News, 14 May 2026 While the story is fundamentally the same as the original production — man discovers wife is having an affair, man then plots for his wife’s murder, man then must evade the cops — Hatcher brings the story to the 21st century in many ways. Amy Reyes may 14, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for plot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot
Noun
  • Scott said Williamson never spoke directly with Becerra about the scheme.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
  • Quantum threats target the mathematical structure of encryption schemes like RSA and ECC; vaulted tokenization removes that target by decoupling data from its representation.
    Ed Leavens, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Alex Smalley leads the field at the 2026 PGA Championship through three rounds of play, with a score of -6.
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Also, without names, the people are on a level playing field with the snowflakes, who are the man’s new friends, and, without names, the doctors can be known solely by their specialties.
    Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • Crime rankings varied depending on whether analysts measured violent crime only, included property crime, or compared cities of different sizes.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • We were attracted to a rural, heavily wooded part of Wesley Chapel, where deer are common and roosters crow, and to the majestic live oak trees on our new property.
    Joseph Bonasia, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 16 May 2026
  • Eggs, sushi, and crypto The account paid attention to smaller stories, too.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Now, he's pardoned all of these people, despite the fact that they were convicted of violently assaulting police officers, conspiring to overthrow the government of the United States in seditious conspiracy, and so on.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 May 2026
  • Shannon Kurrie, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in the scheme earlier this month, according to the federal agency.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The release stated that symptoms in humans could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, while severe cases may lead to arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, or urinary tract symptoms.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
  • The hospital performed worse than average on urinary tract infections, patients falls and injuries, falls causing broken hips and communications about medicines.
    Eva Flowe May 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The resort has multiple buildings, but everything is walkable, and the carefully landscaped grounds and paths are almost jungle-like, further enhancing the natural setting.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • And there are the activities, notably multiple golf courses, but also 100 acres of sporting grounds, sports courts, and an array of wellness and fitness facilities, as well as almost a dozen dining venues that offer everything from a snack to an epicurean feast.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Google bought every parcel through all-cash deals.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
  • Try Field 41, a pale ale named for a parcel of family land, or the Topcutter IPA, a flagship West Coast–style brew bursting with floral, pine, and grapefruit notes courtesy of Mosaic, Simcoe, and Citra hops, finishing clean and dry.
    Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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