Thesaurus results for PLOT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

plot 1 of 2

noun

ˈplät

Definition of plot next

as in scheme

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the Secret Service uncovered just in time a plot to assassinate the President

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in field

a small area of usually open land grew vegetables in a little plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

2 of 2

verb

ˈplät

as in to scheme

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends mobsters were caught plotting to take over the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The plot in a nutshell: Dockery plays Madolyn, an air marshal transporting Mob trial witness Winston (Grace) from a small Alaskan town to Anchorage. —

Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 Justin Baldoni's lawyer claims Ryan Reynolds mocks actor in Deadpool & Wolverine: 'No question' Perhaps more striking were the accusations surrounding the projects' characters and plots. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

Bolsonaro, who has been barred from running for office until 2030 and faces criminal charges for allegedly plotting a coup after his 2022 election defeat, had his passport taken in February 2024 on the order of Brazil's top court. —

Reuters, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025 Rhodes and four other Oath Keepers were convicted of sedition for plotting to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election. —

Ella Lee, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for plot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot

Noun

The Times has reported that in 2020 and 2021, the period when prosecutors say the money laundering scheme was underway, The Epoch Times donated $16 million to Shen Yun and a school that trains its performers.

— Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
The lawsuit alleged RealPage engaged in a collusion scheme with landlords that resulted in higher rent across the country.

— Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025