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Showing results for counterplot. Search instead for counterplotting.
Synonyms

counterplot

American  
[koun-ter-plot, koun-ter-plot] / ˈkaʊn tərˌplɒt, ˌkaʊn tərˈplɒt /

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.


verb (used without object)

counterplotted, counterplotting
  1. to devise a counterplot.

verb (used with object)

counterplotted, counterplotting
  1. to plot against (a plot or plotter).

counterplot British  
/ ˈkaʊntəˌplɒt /

noun

  1. a plot designed to frustrate another plot

"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

verb

  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

Etymology

Origin of counterplot

First recorded in 1590–1600; counter- + plot

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Unlike the “Bourne” films, whose baroque webbing of plot and counterplot suggested an allegory of global paranoia, “Haywire” goes to great lengths to avoid being about anything beyond its immediate situations and effects.

From New York Times Jan. 19, 2012

Patiently, month after month, the FBI had been trying to untangle the all-but-invisible skeins of plot and counterplot by which Russia had stolen U.S. atomic secrets.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since the starlings were plainly not going to migrate from Radford of their own accord, the townsfolk and various wildlife experts hatched a counterplot.

From Time Magazine Archive

With what wealth of plot and counterplot did the play proceed!

From Time Magazine Archive

Either he or some one else had devised an effective counterplot; effective considered as a second act in a comic opera.

From Gossamer 1915 by Birmingham, George A.

By this fellow's means, I have counterplotted all his master's fine schemes.

From St. Ronan's Well by Scott, Walter, Sir

Khrushchev can no longer invoke the capricious plotting, counterplotting and murders of Stalin's Kremlin.

From Time Magazine Archive

During the whole reign they were plotting and counterplotting, mining and undermining.

From The Leading Facts of English History by Montgomery, D. H. (David Henry)

So after all the plotting, the counterplotting, the dangers and hardships; after all her own gallant efforts, the girl had lost the game.

From A Pagan of the Hills by Buck, Charles Neville

Would all this trouble, the plotting and counterplotting, never end?

From John Marsh's Millions by Hornblow, Arthur

Sir Robert Wingate listened while John Strong told the story of the plotting and counterplotting in Chicago.

From Ted Marsh on an Important Mission by Carsey, Alice

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