counterplotting
Planning against schemers
Counterplotting is the act of devising a scheme to thwart or undermine someone else's plot.
When characters in a thriller discover they're being manipulated, they often begin counterplotting against their enemies.
The word captures the recursive nature of scheming: one plot begets another in response.
While the villain laid his trap, the hero was already counterplotting his downfall.
Retaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- countermoveResponding strategic action
counterstrike · countermeasure · preemption · foil · thwart · outmaneuver · checkmate · turnabout
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
double-cross · espionage · subversion · sedition · treason · mutiny · coup · machination
Methods to achieve goals
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
manipulation · stratagem · cunning · calculation · chess · intrigue · mastermind · orchestrate
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
surreptitious · cloak-and-dagger · shadowy · hidden · confidential · cryptic · veiled · incognito
Deliberate misleading of others
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- artificeClever deceptive strategy
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
feint · ruse · misdirection · disinformation · bluff · smokescreen · false-flag · masquerade
vengeance
Retaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- reprisalPunitive action in return
countermove · counterstrike · countermeasure · preemption · foil · thwart · outmaneuver · checkmate · turnabout · reversal
scheme
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
conspiracy · double-cross · espionage · subversion · sedition · treason · mutiny · coup · machination · betrayal
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
ploy · manipulation · stratagem · cunning · calculation · chess · intrigue · mastermind · orchestrate · contingency
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
furtive · surreptitious · cloak-and-dagger · shadowy · hidden · confidential · cryptic · veiled · incognito · behind-the-scenes
deceit
Deliberate misleading of others
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- artificeClever deceptive strategy
subterfuge · feint · ruse · misdirection · disinformation · bluff · smokescreen · false-flag · masquerade · camouflage
counterplottingacquiescence
Unresisting acceptance
submission · resignation · capitulation · yielding · compliance
counterplottingstraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
directness · openness · transparency · candor · forthrightness
counterplottingcollaborating
Working jointly with others
cooperating · joining forces · allying · supporting · abetting
plot, plotting, plots, plotted, plotter, subplot, counterplot, counterplots, replotted