scheming
Devious behind scenes
Scheming describes calculated, often underhanded planning to achieve a goal.
A scheming person plots strategically, usually for personal gain: a scheming politician, scheming to get the inheritance.
The word carries connotations of manipulation and self-interest—scheming implies cunning rather than straightforward effort.
Secretly planning wrongdoing
- craftyCleverly deceptive
- slyCleverly deceptive
- wilySkilled at deception
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
artful · cunning · guileful · foxy · shrewd · calculating · subtle · tricky
Crafty scheming toward goals
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
stratagem · subterfuge · maneuvering · artifice · trickery · chicanery · guile · contrivance
Scheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- machinationsCrafty scheming toward goals
conspiracy · sedition · treason · espionage · betrayal · infiltration · subversion · coup
Inclined to mislead others
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
manipulative · insidious · two-faced · disingenuous · false · lying · fraudulent · perfidious
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
orchestrated · systematic · gameplan · maneuver · positioning · chess-like · Machiavellian · tactical
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
hidden · undercover · cloak-and-dagger · backdoor · veiled · hush-hush · behind-the-scenes · under-the-table
conniving
Secretly planning wrongdoing
devious · artful · cunning · guileful · foxy · shrewd · calculating · subtle · tricky · slick
machinations
Crafty scheming toward goals
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
gambit · stratagem · subterfuge · maneuvering · artifice · trickery · chicanery · guile · contrivance · manipulation
cabal
Scheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- plotStoryline or land parcel
machinations · conspiracy · sedition · treason · espionage · betrayal · infiltration · subversion · coup · complicity
deceitful
Inclined to mislead others
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- dishonestInclined to deceive
unscrupulous · manipulative · insidious · two-faced · disingenuous · false · lying · fraudulent · perfidious · backstabbing
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
deliberate · orchestrated · systematic · gameplan · maneuver · positioning · chess-like · Machiavellian · tactical · outmaneuvering
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
surreptitious · hidden · undercover · cloak-and-dagger · backdoor · veiled · hush-hush · behind-the-scenes · under-the-table · shadowy
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- dishonestydishonesty, deceit, duplicity, lying, mendacity
- hidden motivesulterior motive, hidden agenda, secret plan, plotting, deceit
scheminghonest
Free from deception
straightforward · aboveboard · guileless · candid · forthright
schemingingenuous
Innocently frank and trusting
naive · guileless · innocent · artless · unsophisticated
schemingspontaneous
Arising without external cause
impulsive · unplanned · unrehearsed · instinctive · unpremeditated