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a harmful idea/plan

A word that means harmful to touch?Word for software less harmful than malware'Someone who hops from idea to idea'Borrowed idea synonymIs there a word to describe something that is bad/harmful, yet needed/imperative?Synonym for 'reinforce/back up idea/concept'Single word for “Getting a rough idea”Is there a word that means that what was once good for you eventually becomes harmful?

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1

Is there one word for a harmful idea/plan? (All that comes to my mind is evil/wicked idea, but it's two words, and anyway it's actually a synonym for brilliant/cunning idea.)

The whole idea to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

Thank you guys. Plot, scheme, and intrigue will do. Scam is fine as well, only a bit too informal for the context I need.

single-word-requests synonyms

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

shogun

asked 8 hours ago

shogunshogun

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add a comment | 

3

1

Is there one word for a harmful idea/plan? (All that comes to my mind is evil/wicked idea, but it's two words, and anyway it's actually a synonym for brilliant/cunning idea.)

The whole idea to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

Thank you guys. Plot, scheme, and intrigue will do. Scam is fine as well, only a bit too informal for the context I need.

single-word-requests synonyms

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

shogun

asked 8 hours ago

shogunshogun

20622 silver badges1313 bronze badges

add a comment | 

Is there one word for a harmful idea/plan? (All that comes to my mind is evil/wicked idea, but it's two words, and anyway it's actually a synonym for brilliant/cunning idea.)

The whole idea to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

Thank you guys. Plot, scheme, and intrigue will do. Scam is fine as well, only a bit too informal for the context I need.

single-word-requests synonyms

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

shogun

asked 8 hours ago

shogunshogun

20622 silver badges1313 bronze badges

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

shogun

asked 8 hours ago

shogunshogun

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share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

shogun

asked 8 hours ago

shogunshogun

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asked 8 hours ago

shogunshogun

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4 Answers
4

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oldest

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1

I favor scheme. While it can refer to plans more generally, the connotation is commonly negative. From the Oxford English Dictionary, bold for emphasis:

5 b. Hence, A plan of action devised in order to attain some end; a purpose together with a system of measures contrived for its accomplishment; a project, enterprise. Often with unfavourable notion, a self-seeking or an underhand project, a plot (cf. scheme v., scheming adj.), or a visionary or foolish project. Phrase, to lay a scheme.

And Cambridge Dictionary:

A scheme is also a secret and dishonest plan:

Villains have schemes. Con artists use Ponzi schemes or Pyramid schemes. A "scheme to slander" appears in many search results. Hence:

The whole scheme to slander John was ...

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

17k11 gold badge2828 silver badges5757 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I think OP is looking for a SW that means bad/harmful idea. “To slander John was a scheme”?
  
  – user067531
  8 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

According to Merriam-Webster, you can use plot:

[ perhaps back-formation from complot ] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end
_{from m-w.com}

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

55.7k1414 gold badges113113 silver badges202202 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I was just writing an answer about "plot" :) That's definitely the word I would use.
  
  – PavelAndré
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  "Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot."
  
  – TaliesinMerlin
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

0

Maybe "scam":

scam noun

: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation

M-W gives the example:

Authorities said a parolee with a long history of identity theft and credit card scams masqueraded as a ride-share driver downtown and cleaned out the bank accounts of at least four people after gaining access to their bank cards.

So your sentence would be:

"The whole scam to slander John was..."

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

add a comment | 

0

Maybe intrigue could work in your context -

Intrigue

: make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole intrigue to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

There is also conspiracy -

Conspiracy

a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole conspiracy to slander John was... blah, blah...

share|improve this answer

edited 8 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

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add a comment | 

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1

I favor scheme. While it can refer to plans more generally, the connotation is commonly negative. From the Oxford English Dictionary, bold for emphasis:

5 b. Hence, A plan of action devised in order to attain some end; a purpose together with a system of measures contrived for its accomplishment; a project, enterprise. Often with unfavourable notion, a self-seeking or an underhand project, a plot (cf. scheme v., scheming adj.), or a visionary or foolish project. Phrase, to lay a scheme.

And Cambridge Dictionary:

A scheme is also a secret and dishonest plan:

Villains have schemes. Con artists use Ponzi schemes or Pyramid schemes. A "scheme to slander" appears in many search results. Hence:

The whole scheme to slander John was ...

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

17k11 gold badge2828 silver badges5757 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I think OP is looking for a SW that means bad/harmful idea. “To slander John was a scheme”?
  
  – user067531
  8 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

I favor scheme. While it can refer to plans more generally, the connotation is commonly negative. From the Oxford English Dictionary, bold for emphasis:

5 b. Hence, A plan of action devised in order to attain some end; a purpose together with a system of measures contrived for its accomplishment; a project, enterprise. Often with unfavourable notion, a self-seeking or an underhand project, a plot (cf. scheme v., scheming adj.), or a visionary or foolish project. Phrase, to lay a scheme.

And Cambridge Dictionary:

A scheme is also a secret and dishonest plan:

Villains have schemes. Con artists use Ponzi schemes or Pyramid schemes. A "scheme to slander" appears in many search results. Hence:

The whole scheme to slander John was ...

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

17k11 gold badge2828 silver badges5757 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I think OP is looking for a SW that means bad/harmful idea. “To slander John was a scheme”?
  
  – user067531
  8 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

I favor scheme. While it can refer to plans more generally, the connotation is commonly negative. From the Oxford English Dictionary, bold for emphasis:

5 b. Hence, A plan of action devised in order to attain some end; a purpose together with a system of measures contrived for its accomplishment; a project, enterprise. Often with unfavourable notion, a self-seeking or an underhand project, a plot (cf. scheme v., scheming adj.), or a visionary or foolish project. Phrase, to lay a scheme.

And Cambridge Dictionary:

A scheme is also a secret and dishonest plan:

Villains have schemes. Con artists use Ponzi schemes or Pyramid schemes. A "scheme to slander" appears in many search results. Hence:

The whole scheme to slander John was ...

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

17k11 gold badge2828 silver badges5757 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

17k11 gold badge2828 silver badges5757 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

17k11 gold badge2828 silver badges5757 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

TaliesinMerlinTaliesinMerlin

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1

According to Merriam-Webster, you can use plot:

[ perhaps back-formation from complot ] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end
_{from m-w.com}

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

55.7k1414 gold badges113113 silver badges202202 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I was just writing an answer about "plot" :) That's definitely the word I would use.
  
  – PavelAndré
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  "Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot."
  
  – TaliesinMerlin
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

According to Merriam-Webster, you can use plot:

[ perhaps back-formation from complot ] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end
_{from m-w.com}

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

55.7k1414 gold badges113113 silver badges202202 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I was just writing an answer about "plot" :) That's definitely the word I would use.
  
  – PavelAndré
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  "Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot."
  
  – TaliesinMerlin
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

According to Merriam-Webster, you can use plot:

[ perhaps back-formation from complot ] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end
_{from m-w.com}

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

55.7k1414 gold badges113113 silver badges202202 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

55.7k1414 gold badges113113 silver badges202202 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

55.7k1414 gold badges113113 silver badges202202 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

HellionHellion

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0

Maybe "scam":

scam noun

: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation

M-W gives the example:

Authorities said a parolee with a long history of identity theft and credit card scams masqueraded as a ride-share driver downtown and cleaned out the bank accounts of at least four people after gaining access to their bank cards.

So your sentence would be:

"The whole scam to slander John was..."

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

add a comment | 

0

Maybe "scam":

scam noun

: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation

M-W gives the example:

Authorities said a parolee with a long history of identity theft and credit card scams masqueraded as a ride-share driver downtown and cleaned out the bank accounts of at least four people after gaining access to their bank cards.

So your sentence would be:

"The whole scam to slander John was..."

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

add a comment | 

Maybe "scam":

scam noun

: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation

M-W gives the example:

Authorities said a parolee with a long history of identity theft and credit card scams masqueraded as a ride-share driver downtown and cleaned out the bank accounts of at least four people after gaining access to their bank cards.

So your sentence would be:

"The whole scam to slander John was..."

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

mRottenmRotten

76344 silver badges99 bronze badges

0

Maybe intrigue could work in your context -

Intrigue

: make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole intrigue to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

There is also conspiracy -

Conspiracy

a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole conspiracy to slander John was... blah, blah...

share|improve this answer

edited 8 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

1,54344 silver badges1818 bronze badges

add a comment | 

0

Maybe intrigue could work in your context -

Intrigue

: make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole intrigue to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

There is also conspiracy -

Conspiracy

a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole conspiracy to slander John was... blah, blah...

share|improve this answer

edited 8 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

1,54344 silver badges1818 bronze badges

add a comment | 

Maybe intrigue could work in your context -

Intrigue

: make secret plans to do something illicit or detrimental to someone.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole intrigue to slander John was... blah, blah...

---

There is also conspiracy -

Conspiracy

a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.

(From Oxford)

Therefore,

The whole conspiracy to slander John was... blah, blah...

share|improve this answer

edited 8 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

1,54344 silver badges1818 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

edited 8 hours ago

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

1,54344 silver badges1818 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

1,54344 silver badges1818 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

JustinJustin

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