plan 1 of 2

plan

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plan contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plan are design, plot, project, and scheme. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When is design a more appropriate choice than plan?

While in some cases nearly identical to plan, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

When could plot be used to replace plan?

While the synonyms plot and plan are close in meaning, plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

When is it sensible to use project instead of plan?

In some situations, the words project and plan are roughly equivalent. However, project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

Where would scheme be a reasonable alternative to plan?

The synonyms scheme and plan are sometimes interchangeable, but scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

a scheme to defraud the government

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plan
Noun
The shooting in Miami Beach comes amid heightened tensions as Arab countries attempt to come up with a post-war plan for Gaza, following a tenuous ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025 Adams and Homan appeared together on Fox & Friends last Friday to discuss their plans to collaborate on immigration enforcement. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
One of the last shows featured in the Getty Foundation’s PST ART initiative, the exhibition was planned long before the last wildfires, but the impact, and role of fires in the region have been on the mind for the show’s collective of curators for a long time. The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 18 Feb. 2025 In 2021, Tesla incorporated an affiliate — Tesla India Motors and Energy — but plans to sell its electric vehicles in India were put on hold a year later. William Gavin, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan
Noun
  • As the Feliz family has navigated the NYPD’s opaque and often ineffective system of accountability, the Justice Committee has offered everything from recommendations for lawyers to media strategy and emotional support.
    Colleen Hamilton, Them, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Throughout his experience, Garry developed a three-step strategy to guide every individual through their personal mortal moments.
    Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Since then, Dubb Value has been known for helping companies execute acquisitions that meet their financial goals and protect their core values, leadership vision, and efficiency in operations.
    Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • This work also lays the foundation for the State of Maryland to be able to meet its goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.
    Jessica Babb, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His selection as chairman was seen as key to propelling the military from two decades of war in the Middle East to a focus on preparing for and deterring potential conflict with China.
    Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The city can expect to receive about $1.3 million annually in tax revenue from three operating retail sales licenses, according to a staff report prepared for Wednesday’s meeting, and would receive more from a fourth license.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When that happens, that’s when bad guys stop being the cautionary tales that they were intended to be.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
  • In an unexpected and unceremonious twist, the trade was rescinded after the Lakers, who had intended to pair Hornets center Mark Williams with newcomer Luka Doncic as a lob threat, reportedly balked at Williams’ medicals.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But he's given congressional Republicans a blueprint for what's possible to cut.
    Hans Nichols, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Lawyers representing The San Diego Union-Tribune and other news organizations said the majority opinion lays out a blueprint that would allow the sheriff and other government officials to withhold records from the public going forward.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But that doesn’t seem to be the purpose of the record, which leans more heavily into fan service — a treat for those who’ve stayed loyal (or at least neutral) as Drake suffered the past year’s cavalcade of embarrassments.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The purpose is to drive economic diversity in Las Vegas, traditionally a town focused on a single industry: hospitality.
    Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That tool was designed to help people track their coronavirus relief payments and allow taxpayers to provide direct deposit information to receive the Economic Impact Payments more quickly.
    Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Woven City isn't just for robots and tech; it's designed for people.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The space lends itself to lounging, contemplating and just being.
    Yola Robert, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Companies contemplating manufacturing investments took both sides into account when planning where to build or expand a plant.
    Lydia DePillis, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on plan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!