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counterplan

counterplan

8.1
A secret idea or action to oppose another group's move
  • noun
  • /ˈkaʊntərˌplæn/
  • Jargon
translation icon : contraplan
  • The team developed a counterplan to address the shortcomings of the original proposal.

Examples

  • And a counterplan.

  • During the meeting, they revealed a counterplan aimed at undermining the competitor's strategy.

  • The activists presented a counterplan to ensure their voices were heard in the upcoming debate.

Synonyms

game
vscounterplan
  • Informal
678 8.2

A secret plan to trick or cheat people

emphasizes opposition to another plot rather than general underhand activity
conspiracy
vscounterplan
670 5.5

A secret plan by a group to do something illegal or harmful

may instead be a secret action specifically aimed at defeating another plot
subterfuge
vscounterplan
19 9.5

A trick or excuse to hide the real reason

focuses instead on secret opposition to a specific existing plan
machination
vscounterplan
  • Formal
18 9.3

A secret, clever plan to harm or trick others

focuses on opposing another plan rather than causing general harm
secret plan
vscounterplan
13 4.3

A plan people keep secret to do something wrong

adds the idea that the hidden scheme specifically aims to oppose another plan
contrivance
vscounterplan
1 8.1

A plan made to trick people

is more specifically a hidden scheme created to oppose another plan
cunning plan
vscounterplan
1 5.0

A clever way to trick someone to get what you want

is narrower, aiming specifically to oppose or undermine another plan
counterplot
vscounterplan
9.3

A secret plan to stop someone else's plan

is the same opposing secret scheme described more generally
counterproject
vscounterplan
8.8

A project put forward to oppose another plan and offer a different solution

focuses more on secret opposition against a specific prior plan

How Secret

conspiracy
670 5.5
plot
216 4.3
counterplan
  • Jargon
8.1
to scheme
14 6.5
plan
1.0

Surface Forms

counterplan singular
counterplans plural

Morphology

counterplan = plan (transparent) = counter + plan

The prefix 'counter-' clearly indicates opposition, and the base word 'plan' retains its meaning.

Etymology

Counterplan is a simple compound: counter- means 'against' or 'opposite', just like in counterattack, and plan means a set of actions. So a counterplan is a plan made to go 'against' or stop another plan.