What term describes making plans with the intent to do something illegal or wrong?

The term "schemes" is used to describe the process of making plans, particularly when those plans involve the intent to engage in illegal or unethical actions. In a legal context, scheming often implies a level of premeditation and organization in planning activities that are inherently wrong, such as criminal acts or fraud. The word carries a connotation of deceit or manipulation, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the planning involved in carrying out such actions.

Other terms provided in the options do not carry the same implications. For example, "insufficiency" generally relates to a lack of something, which doesn't inherently involve any intention to commit wrongdoing. "Cower" describes a physical reaction due to fear and does not pertain to planning or intent. "Degenerate" refers to moral or physical decline, rather than the act of planning itself. Thus, "schemes" is the most appropriate choice as it directly reflects the act of planning with negative or illegal intentions.