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
Guantanamo Bay The Trump administration has started to send migrants to Guantanamo Bay despite questions about the plan’s legality. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025 The plan seeks to enhance job training programs, provide tax incentives for small businesses and invest in infrastructure projects that will create new employment opportunities. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Justice Department lawyer who argued the case did not say if the department plans to file such an appeal. Daniella Silva, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025 The layoffs in Pleasanton represent about 35% of the staffing reductions that Workday is planning worldwide, which equate to 8.5% of the company’s global workforce, Workday CEO Carl Eschenbach stated in a note to company employees. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for plan 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan
Noun
  • Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler.
    Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • There’s one person that understands game moves and understands strategy.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The goal is to appeal to empathy, instead of trying to change the other person.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Both are top six in short-handed goals in Rangers history.
    Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That meant writing songs, producing records, delivering those records on time, having great bands, rehearsing, being prepared and not leaving the basics up to chance.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Allowing the hair to air dry helped maintain its integrity and prepared it for the coloring phase.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • It’s been swinging since the Federal Reserve began cutting its main interest rate sharply from September intending to make borrowing cheaper, help the economy and boost prices for stocks, bonds and other investments.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 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
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Thankfully, many safari outfitters offer dynamic itineraries—think pairing the quintessential South African safari with a surreal stint in Namibia or a blue safari grand finale in Mozambique filled with whales, dolphins, whale sharks, and dugongs—designed to engage animal lovers of all ages.
    Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Alas, most of those statements are sheer wishful thinking and sometimes hype, designed to garner investors' support for the merger.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Chaska High School’s 1936 baseball team has already booked two games with Jordan High and is contemplating contests with Saint Louis Park and New Prague, coach Albert Mooney said Monday.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • As a dad to two boys, taking a moment to contemplate the scope of the job can be a bit overwhelming for me.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near plan

Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 19 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!