schemer

American  

[skee-mer] / ˈski mər /

noun

1. someone who devises plans or plots, especially underhanded ones.

   She is one of the memorable characters in literature, a born schemer and social climber unencumbered by any need to tell the truth.

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Etymology

Origin of schemer

scheme ( def. ) + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Powell radiates such manly American likability that it’s bizarrely out of character for him to play this ruthless schemer, even as an impish chancer.

From The Wall Street Journal

The past six Super Bowls have all had one thing in common: Every head coach had built his career as a schemer on offense.

From The Wall Street Journal

She picked up an Actors Award nomination earlier this month for playing Rachel, the film’s chaos-creating schemer.

From Los Angeles Times

Once again, a boy from here teams up with a girl from there to defeat a villainous schemer bent on cruel domination.

From The Wall Street Journal

There may be no better time for a schemer like Ashur to be resurrected from the underworld.

From Salon

Related Words

• rascal
• rogue