Synonyms for scheme
- noun
- verb
Most common
plan action plan proposal arrangement conspiracy contrivance design strategy
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Project — A systematic plan of future action
plan, proposal, arrangement, blueprint informal, action plan, tactic, concoct, purpose, draft US, draught UK, figure, council estate UK, frame, arrange, forecast, project dated, devise dated, imagine dated
2. Conspiracy — A plot or secret, devious plan
conspiracy, device, way, intrigue, contrivance, cabal, ploy, stratagem, shift, maneuver US, manoeuvre UK, machination, angle slang
3. Design — A chart or diagram of a system or object
design, plot, aim, diagram, graph, chart, map, schematic, graphic, compass dated
Other
system, game, set-up, strategy, theory, dispensation, prospectus, estate, dodge, dodging
Verb
Definitions
- n. 1
A systematic plan of future action.
- n. 2
A plot or secret, devious plan.
Her brain is continually fermenting new schemes.
- n. 3
A chart or diagram of a system or object.
- v. 1
To plot, or contrive a plan; to maneuver.
Related words
- Word family
- schemer schemie
- Phrases
- grand scheme scheme of things lift scheme axiom scheme
Choose the right word
Scheme may be used as nearly equivalent to theory, but is more frequently applied to proposed action, and in the sense of a somewhat visionary plan.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- plan We must adapt our plan to these new circumstances.
- proposal A discussion of the proposal seems to be in order.
- arrangement Flower arrangement is a traditional art in Japan.
- conspiracy Yanni and Skura were both charged with conspiracy.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| scheme | falling | |
| plan | steady | |
| proposal | falling | |
| arrangement | falling | |
| conspiracy | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- way1, map1, aim1
- 4 letters
- game1, plan1, plot1, ploy1
- 5 letters
- draft1, frame1, shift1, chart1, angle2, graph1, dodge1, hatch1, cabal2
- 6 letters
- system2, design2, figure2, theory2, estate2, device2, tactic2, devise2, schema2
- 7 letters
- project2, purpose2, imagine3, graphic2, arrange2, diagram3, outline2, compass2, dodging2, draught1, swindle2, collude2, concoct2, connive2
- 8 letters
- strategy3, proposal3, forecast2, maneuver3, intrigue2, meditate3, contrive2
- 9 letters
- blueprint2, schematic3, manoeuvre, stratagem3, machinate
- 10 letters
- conspiracy4, prospectus3, excogitate
- 11 letters
- arrangement3, contrivance3, machination4
- 12 letters
- dispensation4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (angle2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- tripotage