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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
Taking place at Ojai’s Chaparral Auditorium over two weekends in May, the project is a labor of love for everyone involved, most of whom are donating their time and talents. Kara Warner, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 After all, many have managed team sizes in the hundreds and multi-million-dollar projects. Lola Eniolorunda, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Despite continuing to outpace overall advertising growth (projected at 7.3% for 2025), retail media networks face mounting challenges that threaten their momentum. Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 He was projected to be one of the top players taken and potentially the first player taken during and shortly after the college football season. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • Trump has upended the global trading system that has been in place for over 75 years with a plan for tariffs on products from across the world.
    Chris Prentice, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Amid an atmosphere of near-zero interest rates, venture-capital investors were drawn to grand plans and messianic visions, both of which Thurston was skilled at providing.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The two rear cameras live in a small module that protrudes less than a millimeter from the back case.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Well down the mountainside a small ledge protruded from the sharp ridge like a bulbous growth.
    Percy Brown, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • These annual adjustments are designed to ensure that benefits keep pace with inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Fox News Digital understands that As Ever, which is supposed to be an extension of Meghan’s past lifestyle blog The Tig, will not be designing clothing.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Brookings Institution, a centrist think tank, has presented its own bipartisan blueprint for making the system solvent.
    Dennis W. Jansen, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The April 9 Executive Order The April 9 Executive Order goes far beyond non-binding DOJ Task Force advocacy, by creating a blueprint for direct government action against anticompetitive rules.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.
    Eric Nehm, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The eye poke left Muhammad unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Remembering how a few crucial opportunities to work on calligraphy and design at a young age prepared him for his career in film, fashion, and painting, Yi Ming hopes to open similar doors for other young artists.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has called for interest rate cuts in the current environment, though that would be somewhat counterintuitive as businesses prepare for price increases from the tariffs.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • However, Keena said that strategy may not be as effective this time around.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • And while Orban has boasted that his party has shared his strategies with Trump advisers, Kreko doubts the help was very meaningful.
    Rob Schmitz, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Marvel Studios' most unusual release of 2025 is Thunderbolts*, a movie that stands out not only because of its edgy marketing but also because of its strange title.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Thus, both gold and GDX continue to stand out, especially as so many stocks have struggled in recent weeks.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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