counterplot

[ noun, verb koun-ter-plot; verb also koun-ter-plot ]
See synonyms for: counterplotcounterplottedcounterplotting on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a plot directed against another plot.

  2. Literature. a secondary theme in a play or other literary work, used as a contrast to or variation of the main theme.: Compare subplot.

verb (used without object),coun·ter·plot·ted, coun·ter·plot·ting.
  1. to devise a counterplot.

verb (used with object),coun·ter·plot·ted, coun·ter·plot·ting.
  1. to plot against (a plot or plotter).

Origin of counterplot

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; counter- + plot

Words Nearby counterplot

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use counterplot in a sentence

  • But the waters were seething now, stirred to their very lees by plot and counterplot.

    The Secret Witness | George Gibbs
  • If my simple counterplot should fail, some knowledge of the powder-convoy's route would be of prime importance.

    The Master of Appleby | Francis Lynde
  • The Hawkins counterplot of revenge on Philip and his guilty confederates was completely successful.

    Drake, Nelson and Napoleon | Walter Runciman
  • Such as know their members to be naturally obedient, need take no other care but only to counterplot their fantasies.

    The Essays of Montaigne, Complete | Michel de Montaigne
  • "We shall have a game of plot and counterplot before this ends, my man," he muttered.

British Dictionary definitions for counterplot

counterplot

/ (ˈkaʊntəˌplɒt) /


noun
  1. a plot designed to frustrate another plot

verb-plots, -plotting or -plotted
  1. (tr) to oppose with a counterplot

  2. (intr) to devise or carry out a counterplot

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012