scheme
1 of 2noun
ˈskēm 
1
: a plan or program of action
especially : a crafty or secret one
2
: a systematic or organized configuration : design
color scheme
3
: a concise statement or table : epitome
4
a
: a graphic sketch or outline
b archaic
(1)
: a mathematical or astronomical diagram
(2)
: a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time
scheme
2 of 2verb
schemed; scheming
intransitive verb
: to form plans
also : plot, intrigue
transitive verb
: to form a scheme for
schemer noun
Synonyms
Noun
- artifice
- device
- dodge
- fetch
- flimflam
- gambit
- gimmick
- jig
- juggle
- knack
- play
- ploy
- ruse
- shenanigan
- sleight
- stratagem
- trick
- wile
Verb
- collude
- compass
- connive
- conspire
- contrive
- intrigue
- machinate
- plot
- put up
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a scheme to cheat people out of their money The company has a new scheme for insurance coverage. a scheme to improve the economy the color scheme of a room Verb He felt that the other men were scheming against him. He was betrayed by a scheming friend. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Annie Martin, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that Mr. Bannon had acted as the architect of a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud thousands of donors across the U.S.—and hundreds in New York. Corinne Ramey, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Anyone with information about Pratt’s whereabouts, or any potential additional victims of the GirlsDoPorn scheme, are asked to contact the FBI at (800)-CALL-FBI, or tips.fbi.gov. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Arnal is also named as a defendant in a securities lawsuit that accuses him, his employer and billionaire entrepreneur Ryan Cohen of a pump-and-dump scheme to inflate Bed, Bath & Beyond stock. Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2022 The foundation’s board of directors denied the claims, and instead accused Abdullah of a similar scheme, citing a letter from unnamed members of Black Lives Matter Grassroots echoing the accusation. Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022 The three-technique position is critical to the success of a Cover-2 scheme, and for the Bears to be really good up front, Jones will need to outperform his two-year, $12 million contract. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 On the matter of the fine, Rudofsky finally settled on $12,500, which is approximately 20% of the amount of money Yoder made off of the scheme. Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2022 The advantage of a levels scheme is that the quarterback always has the same progression from high to low. Lance Reisland, cleveland, 20 Aug. 2022 Dennis Victory, al, 5 Aug. 2022 Because the Beavers’ fifth-year coordinator can’t wait to get to the whiteboard and digital devices to scheme for the Sept. 3 opener against Boise State. oregonlive, 24 Aug. 2022 Rounding out the category is The Tinder Swindler, a true crime doc about a man who used the dating app to scheme unsuspecting women out of cash. Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2022 Here, founder and CEO Don Bhengu (Dumisani Mbebe) and his minions family plot and scheme the next big steps for their company, Bhengu Beauty. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 30 May 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Meanwhile, Bakary keeps trying to get them out of there, teaming up with a fellow tirailleur, Salif (Bamar Kane), to scheme and steal his way to freedom. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2022 See More
Noun
Iannotti testified at trial that Paris asked her to enter the race, apparently as part of a scheme intended to siphon votes from Brodeur’s Democratic opponent. Annie Martin, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that Mr. Bannon had acted as the architect of a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud thousands of donors across the U.S.—and hundreds in New York. Corinne Ramey, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Anyone with information about Pratt’s whereabouts, or any potential additional victims of the GirlsDoPorn scheme, are asked to contact the FBI at (800)-CALL-FBI, or tips.fbi.gov. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Arnal is also named as a defendant in a securities lawsuit that accuses him, his employer and billionaire entrepreneur Ryan Cohen of a pump-and-dump scheme to inflate Bed, Bath & Beyond stock. Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2022 The foundation’s board of directors denied the claims, and instead accused Abdullah of a similar scheme, citing a letter from unnamed members of Black Lives Matter Grassroots echoing the accusation. Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022 The three-technique position is critical to the success of a Cover-2 scheme, and for the Bears to be really good up front, Jones will need to outperform his two-year, $12 million contract. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 On the matter of the fine, Rudofsky finally settled on $12,500, which is approximately 20% of the amount of money Yoder made off of the scheme. Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2022 The advantage of a levels scheme is that the quarterback always has the same progression from high to low. Lance Reisland, cleveland, 20 Aug. 2022 Verb
The Huskies lost Finkley on the defensive line from last season, which means more teams will scheme to make Osborne the prime target. Dennis Victory, al, 5 Aug. 2022 Because the Beavers’ fifth-year coordinator can’t wait to get to the whiteboard and digital devices to scheme for the Sept. 3 opener against Boise State. oregonlive, 24 Aug. 2022 Rounding out the category is The Tinder Swindler, a true crime doc about a man who used the dating app to scheme unsuspecting women out of cash. Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2022 Here, founder and CEO Don Bhengu (Dumisani Mbebe) and his minions family plot and scheme the next big steps for their company, Bhengu Beauty. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 30 May 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Reich’s offense is designed to scheme guys open and give them room to run. Joel A. Erickson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2022 Meanwhile, Bakary keeps trying to get them out of there, teaming up with a fellow tirailleur, Salif (Bamar Kane), to scheme and steal his way to freedom. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Latin schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, from Greek schēmat-, schēma, from echein to have, hold, be in (such) a condition; akin to Old English sige victory, Sanskrit sahate he prevails
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 4b(1)
Verb
1749, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing scheme
Kids Definition
scheme 1 of 2
noun
ˈskēm
1
: a secret plan : plot
2
: a plan of something to be done : project
3
: an organized design
I like the room's color scheme.
scheme
2 of 2verb
schemed; scheming
: to form a secret plan
Medical Definition
scheme
noun
ˈskēm
: schema
Legal Definition
scheme
noun
1
: a combination of elements (as statutes or regulations) that are connected, adjusted, and integrated by design : a systematic plan or program
an inspection scheme
2
: a clever and often dishonest plan
a scheme to defraud investors
scheme 1 of 2
noun
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ruse
- device
- trick
- stratagem
- gambit
- ploy
- gimmick
- jig
- dodge
- shenanigan
- flimflam
- sleight of hand
- deception
- knack
- fetch
- artifice
- juggle
- bluff
- play
- sleight
- subterfuge
- hoax
- trickery
- swindle
- cunning
- wile
- feint
- duplicity
- swindling
- skulduggery
- chicanery
- end run
- fraud
- sham
- cozenage
- cheating
- fakery
- dupery
- jugglery
- skullduggery
- crookery
- blind
- craft
- legerdemain
- front
- smoke screen
- gaff
2
as in conspiracy
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends a scheme to kidnap the president's daughter Synonyms & Similar Words
- conspiracy
- plot
- machination
- strategy
- design
- intrigue
- stratagem
- system
- counterplot
- program
- subterfuge
- trickery
- manipulation
- maneuver
- cabal
- frame-up
- counterconspiracy
- racket
- draft
- ground plan
- contrivance
- collusion
- gimmick
- dodge
- confederacy
- cover-up
- connivance
- conniving
- ring
- complicity
- conspiration
- trick
- artifice
- game
3
as in plan
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective a scheme to upgrade the city's mass transit system Synonyms & Similar Words
- plan
- strategy
- blueprint
- program
- system
- arrangement
- project
- design
- proposal
- master plan
- idea
- game plan
- procedure
- game
- ground plan
- way
- road map
- technique
- stratagem
- plot
- ruse
- conspiracy
- recipe
- gambit
- subterfuge
- policy
- protocol
- collusion
- tactic
- purpose
- intention
- device
- intent
- contrivance
- maneuver
- formula
- counterplan
- means
- trick
- counterstrategy
- aim
- setup
- conception
- pattern
- layout
- map
- diagram
- platform
- projet
- specific(s)
- specification(s)
scheme
2 of 2verb
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- plot
- plan
- connive
- intrigue
- contrive
- conspire
- collude
- machinate
- devise
- design
- counterplot
- engineer
- hatch
- concoct
- compass
- map
- maneuver
- shape
- put up
- manipulate
- brew
- jockey
- frame
- lay out
- cook (up)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of scheme are design, plan, plot, and project. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.
a scheme to defraud the government
While the synonyms design and scheme are close in meaning, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.
a design for a new dress
In some situations, the words plan and scheme are roughly equivalent. However, plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.
plans for a house
The synonyms plot and scheme are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.
the plot of the play
Although the words project and scheme have much in common, project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.
a project to develop the waterfront