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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

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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

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verb

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
Look, nobody watches classic Jackie Chan movies for the plot, complex characterizations, or the dubbing (which is often hilariously bad). ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 The initial plot concerns sullen teen Quinn (Katie Douglas) and her fraying bond with her depressed father (Aaron Abrams), who move to a sleepy Midwest town that is decaying after the local corn syrup factory shudders and is burned down. William Earl, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
As Jennifer’s Body plots a resurrection, Amanda Seyfried still has nothing but praise for the original. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2025 According to authorities, Goodwin, 32, plotted to have her husband killed with the help of Grant Amato, a Florida man who’s serving a life sentence for the 2019 murders of his father, mother and brother at their suburban Orlando home. Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plot
Noun
  • Detectives arrested a man accused in a lottery ticket stealing scheme that netted him and a partner thousands of dollars in winnings, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • His chief adviser was also charged in state court with taking part in a separate bribery scheme.
    Jan Ransom, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In 65 games, the former Kentucky Wildcat is averaging 17.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three in 31.6 minutes.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Aside from the injuries, Watson contended with some high-profile issues away from the football field.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This legendary property opened its doors in 1920 and has hosted presidents, celebrities, and other famous guests throughout the years.
    Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Villegas arrived at his property to discover that small furniture from around the house had been relocated to the garage, and some items were missing entirely.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This story contains details from the season finale of The Pitt on Max.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lori Vallow Daybell convicted of murder Vallow Daybell was charged in May 2021 with the murders of her children and conspiracy to commit the murder of Tammy Daybell.
    Miguel Torres, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • He was allowed to plead guilty to a single bribery conspiracy count of receiving more than $700,000 while orchestrating an elaborate scheme to enrich his family and friends.
    Janet Nguyen, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • How antibiotics can affect your gut bacteria Antibiotics are medications prescribed to treat many different types of bacterial infections, like sinus infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic infections, and bacterial vaginosis (BV).
    Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025
  • There are a lot more mice, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums in the brush between houses than in large tracts of underdeveloped forests.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Developers are planning to break ground later this year on a 237-unit apartment building in Deerfield Beach, bringing activity to a mostly vacant lot whose southern tip is home to a two-story office building on the northwest corner of Federal Highway and Northwest Second Street.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At least half of those duty-free parcels came from China.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • At least half of those duty-free parcels—each worth $800 or less, and most ringing in at about $50—come from China.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plot. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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