Scheme
Scheme noun - A clever often underhanded means to achieve an end.
Usage example: an e-mail scheme to trick unwary Internet users into disclosing passwords and financial information
Stratagem is a synonym for scheme in plot topic. In some cases you can use "Stratagem" instead a noun "Scheme", when it comes to topics like device, event, plan, ruse.
Stratagem
Stratagem noun - A clever often underhanded means to achieve an end.
Usage example: tried various stratagems to get the cat into the carrier, but the feisty feline was wise to them all
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
Cite this Source
Stratagem and Scheme. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/scheme/stratagem
Scheme & Stratagem. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/scheme/stratagem>.
Stratagem or Scheme. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/scheme/stratagem.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "scheme" and "stratagem" have occurred on timeline