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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plans
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective
a scheme to upgrade the city's mass transit system
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of schemes
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
New York officials say the unit is a national leader that targets complex, high-impact corporate schemes, and Attorney General Letitia James vows legal action, calling the cutoff an outrageous political attack.
—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
He’s not ideally suited for drop coverage defensively, which somewhat limits schemes that coaches can use on that side of the floor.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Jones entered guilty pleas to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in schemes to defraud major sportsbooks, including DraftKings and FanDuel, and filch millions of dollars from unwitting poker players.
—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
The Better Business Bureau says scammers are targeting renters and unsuspecting home sellers through sophisticated online schemes that have grown a lot over the years.
—
T.j. Anthony,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Federal authorities on Tuesday charged 10 Southern California defendants in a series of healthcare fraud schemes, including one case involving nearly $270 million in fraudulent Medi-Cal claims and another that allegedly defrauded Medicare out of approximately $27 million.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
As contemporary home designs fade the visual bounds between interior and exterior, design pros are calling on lighting designers to illuminate their clients’ landscapes, with schemes that provide everything from safety to spectacle.
—
Kelly Ryan Kegans,
Architectural Digest,
23 June 2026
The scams, which operate online, work by convincing victims to put their money into fraudulent investment schemes.
—
Shibani Mahtani,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Mar. 2026
Joy Randolph, follows a desperate gallery owner (Portman) who schemes to sell a dead man as art at Art Basel in Miami.
—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Chalamet embodies Marty’s arrant showmanship with an evident joy in performance, exactly as Marty himself schemes not only shamelessly but jubilantly.
—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
Twelve hundred conceptual categories showed up in just 490 papers and nowhere in the formal schemes, clustered in environmental drivers and ecological processes.
—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
New York officials say the unit is a national leader that targets complex, high-impact corporate schemes, and Attorney General Letitia James vows legal action, calling the cutoff an outrageous political attack.
—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
He’s not ideally suited for drop coverage defensively, which somewhat limits schemes that coaches can use on that side of the floor.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Jones entered guilty pleas to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in schemes to defraud major sportsbooks, including DraftKings and FanDuel, and filch millions of dollars from unwitting poker players.
—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
The Better Business Bureau says scammers are targeting renters and unsuspecting home sellers through sophisticated online schemes that have grown a lot over the years.
—
T.j. Anthony,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Federal authorities on Tuesday charged 10 Southern California defendants in a series of healthcare fraud schemes, including one case involving nearly $270 million in fraudulent Medi-Cal claims and another that allegedly defrauded Medicare out of approximately $27 million.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
As contemporary home designs fade the visual bounds between interior and exterior, design pros are calling on lighting designers to illuminate their clients’ landscapes, with schemes that provide everything from safety to spectacle.
—
Kelly Ryan Kegans,
Architectural Digest,
23 June 2026
The scams, which operate online, work by convincing victims to put their money into fraudulent investment schemes.
—
Shibani Mahtani,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Verb
Marty, who was loosely based on real-life ping-pong legend Marty Reisman, schemes his way to competitions across the globe and hustles for pocket cash.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Mar. 2026
Joy Randolph, follows a desperate gallery owner (Portman) who schemes to sell a dead man as art at Art Basel in Miami.
—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Chalamet embodies Marty’s arrant showmanship with an evident joy in performance, exactly as Marty himself schemes not only shamelessly but jubilantly.
—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Dec. 2025
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
-
Such offenders will use all different ruses to distract the victim, such as claiming to be utility workers, tree trimmers, or handymen working on neighbors' houses.
-
They are accused of using several ruses to force their way into people’s homes, assaulting unsuspecting residents and holding them hostage for their own money, and demanding access to their crypto accounts.
Noun
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In one of the side plots to The Lord of the Rings, two of the Hobbits attempt to rouse Treebeard—a wise but ponderous sentient tree—to defend his forest from an army that is cutting it down.
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Parreno said the grant will cover the costs of about a year’s worth of water for the garden’s 100-plus members, who also pay dues to access plots.
Noun
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Caftans are the underrated summer essential that bring breezy, effortless glamour to beach days, brunches, and evening plans alike.
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Although the panel date has not been confirmed, the members and the team behind the webcomic will be on it to chat about their upcoming plans.
Noun
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But none of that has happened, and Hamas rejected a new disarmament proposal in March that would force it to give up its tunnel network as well as rockets, heavy munitions, explosive devices and assault rifles before any Israel withdrawal.
-
This one from Amazon is only $36 and can keep your devices charged for up to one week on a single charge.
Noun
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The series blends crime procedural elements with the spiritual and cultural landscape of the Navajo reservation as the officers investigate brutal murders connected to larger conspiracies.
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Season 3 finds Ferguson's Juliette seeking answers to her experiences outside the silo and the conspiracies that led to their dystopian world.
Noun
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The federal government and states have begun investigating pricing strategies that companies report have led to higher profits.
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When planning for retirement, asset allocation, withdrawal strategies, and tax-efficient investing is typically top of mind.
Noun
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This month was all about the art choices—and a couple clever tricks, too.
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Consider the four tricks designers keep up their sleeves for this exact situation.
Noun
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The parallel Neusch was searching the home’s blueprints, combining with the CI to find an escape route for the sisters.
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The items and blueprints for the items can be found in shops, claw machines, the flower basket crafting mission, the box of fortune, and the orb roll challenge.
Cite this Entry
“Schemes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schemes. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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