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project

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun project contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of project are design, plan, plot, and scheme. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

When would design be a good substitute for project?

Although the words design and project have much in common, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

In what contexts can plan take the place of project?

The synonyms plan and project are sometimes interchangeable, but plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When is plot a more appropriate choice than project?

The words plot and project are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

When might scheme be a better fit than project?

In some situations, the words scheme and project are roughly equivalent. However, 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 project
Noun
Ares was in development for a decade, but former Disney exec Sean Bailey refused to give up and shepherded the project when serving as head of Disney’s live-action studio. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025 Cult film outfit Spamflix will launch the Cinema of Desire at the Marché International du Film Classique (MIFC) in Lyon, an ambitious restoration project in collaboration with the Cinemateca Brasileira that reclaims a missing piece of Brazilian film history. Lise Pedersen, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
The biggest jump will be reported among older Black renters, who are projected to double from their 2020 levels. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 The team showed that entanglement creation and single-photon collecting may happen simultaneously across multiple atoms by projecting their one-dimensional atom array onto a commercial fiber array. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • The Alphabet-subsidiary is now operating commercially in five American cities, with plans to launch in several more.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • That plan was to eventually lead to a marquee match between two former Shield brothers.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Electronic doors give cars a high-tech aura and may modestly reduce wind resistance because their exterior handles typically do not protrude from the door.
    Jack Ewing, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In aircraft design, various components can protrude from the plane’s body and disrupt this smooth airflow, introducing turbulence and increasing drag.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The film will expand on the hit series created by Thomas Astruc and designed by Nathanaël Bronn, which has been airing on TF1 in France since 2015, as well as over 120 additional territories worldwide.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The new research focused on an NOA mouse model specifically designed to mimic human genetic deficiencies causing meiotic arrest — a stage where sperm production stalls.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The project went platinum within a year, earning four Grammy nominations and introducing a new blueprint for modern soul.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe mom and dad were never supposed to nurture your creativity just like their parents never drew them a blueprint on how to survive as immigrants.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My neighbors started poking their heads in the front door, too.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
  • This bra has wide straps, side-smoothing panels, and an allover stretchy fit — sans wires poking you in the ribcage.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Amazon is preparing to cut as much as 15% of its human resources staff, with additional layoffs likely in other divisions, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans.
    Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • From frustrating sick days to healing family time and back to the ballroom, see Jen preparing to take on the Viennese Waltz below!
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Fast-forward to the end of the first half, and the Lions’ decision (and what would have been Kansas City’s usual strategy) paid off for the home team.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • For buyers, extra money dries up GM’s strategy of crafting electrified options for its most popular models like the Chevrolet Blazer, Equinox and Silverado directly addressed what consumers wanted from the automaker’s emerging offerings, said Joseph Yoon, Edmunds' consumer insights analyst.
    Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Vuitton, Gucci bags Hill’s business dealings with Gatlin may stand out, but her company’s transactions with the Foundation were not as numerous or as large as those involving Holsendolph, the Miami vendor.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Why Charlotte the robot stands out This 3D printing construction robot stands out for its unique mix of speed, strength, versatility and affordability.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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