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
schemed; scheming
: to form a scheme for
schemer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of scheme in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
When, months later, the blue checks granted under Twitter’s previous verification scheme finally disappeared, the platform faced frustration and ridicule from some of its most prominent users, including Stephen King and LeBron James.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
After evading arrest for two years, Pace and his accomplices were eventually caught through a money-laundering scheme and sentenced to prison, according to the newspaper.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
This might include a scheme to get a deduction for artwork or the fraudulent use of a charitable trust.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Plus, Spotify’s audiobook expansion, The New York Times’ new audio initiative, and Apple’s (alleged) pay-for-play scheme.
—Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Both jurisdictions, however, contend that they are not required to comply with the program because the scheme has not yet been incorporated into their municipal storm sewer system permits, which are issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
—Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Householder is serving 20 years in federal prison for orchestrating a pay-to-play scheme with FirstEnergy.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
The scheme cost the stores more than $460,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Hill was indicted last week and charged with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, two counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, one count of mortgage fraud and one count of scheming to defraud over $50,000.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors had argued the men knew the pages had a dubious chain of ownership but peddled them anyway, scheming to fabricate a provenance that would pass muster with auction houses and stave off demands to return the documents to Henley.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024
After a medical evacuation and a very informative journey last week, the tribes continue to grapple with paranoia, scheming and the basic principles of the game.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
The plot is your standard B-movie fare, as scheming real estate tycoon Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen) sends a horde of goons after Dalton, eager to acquire Frankie’s valuable beachside location.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
In his engrossing performance as the patriarch of an impoverished but scheming household, Song’s nonchalant effervescence slowly morphs into rage as the experience of chauffeuring a wealthy man ultimately drives him to violence.
—The New York Times Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
The judge in the civil fraud case ruled last month that Trump, Weisselberg and others schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by lying about Trump's wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2024
The judge in the civil fraud case ruled last month that Trump, Weisselberg and others schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by lying about Trump’s wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans.
—Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
And once George schemes his way into the monarch’s bedroom, King James ends up in some rather compromising positions.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
When, months later, the blue checks granted under Twitter’s previous verification scheme finally disappeared, the platform faced frustration and ridicule from some of its most prominent users, including Stephen King and LeBron James.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
After evading arrest for two years, Pace and his accomplices were eventually caught through a money-laundering scheme and sentenced to prison, according to the newspaper.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
This might include a scheme to get a deduction for artwork or the fraudulent use of a charitable trust.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Plus, Spotify’s audiobook expansion, The New York Times’ new audio initiative, and Apple’s (alleged) pay-for-play scheme.
—Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Both jurisdictions, however, contend that they are not required to comply with the program because the scheme has not yet been incorporated into their municipal storm sewer system permits, which are issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
—Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Householder is serving 20 years in federal prison for orchestrating a pay-to-play scheme with FirstEnergy.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
The scheme cost the stores more than $460,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
But Mary and George Villiers would soon scheme to supplant Carr in the king’s esteem.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Hill was indicted last week and charged with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, two counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, one count of mortgage fraud and one count of scheming to defraud over $50,000.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors had argued the men knew the pages had a dubious chain of ownership but peddled them anyway, scheming to fabricate a provenance that would pass muster with auction houses and stave off demands to return the documents to Henley.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024
After a medical evacuation and a very informative journey last week, the tribes continue to grapple with paranoia, scheming and the basic principles of the game.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
The plot is your standard B-movie fare, as scheming real estate tycoon Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen) sends a horde of goons after Dalton, eager to acquire Frankie’s valuable beachside location.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
In his engrossing performance as the patriarch of an impoverished but scheming household, Song’s nonchalant effervescence slowly morphs into rage as the experience of chauffeuring a wealthy man ultimately drives him to violence.
—The New York Times Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
The judge in the civil fraud case ruled last month that Trump, Weisselberg and others schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by lying about Trump's wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2024
The judge in the civil fraud case ruled last month that Trump, Weisselberg and others schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by lying about Trump’s wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans.
—Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scheme.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to scheme
Dictionary Entries Near scheme
Cite this Entry
“Scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scheme. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scheme
1 of 2 noun1
: a pictorial sketch or outline
2
: a brief statement in an outline, table, or list
3
: a plan or program of action
a new scheme for better insurance coverage
especially
: a sly or secret one
a scheme to seize control of the territory
4
: a regular or organized design, arrangement, or pattern
the color scheme of a room
your whole scheme of life
scheme
2 of 2 verb
schemed; scheming
1
: to form a scheme for
2
: to form plans
especially
: to engage in a plot
schemer
noun
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