proposed; proposing
1
: to form or put forward a plan or intention
man proposes, but God disposes
2
obsolete
: to engage in talk or discussion
3
: to make an offer of marriage
1
a
: to set before the mind (as for discussion, imitation, or action)
propose a plan for settling the dispute
b
: to set before someone and especially oneself as an aim or intent
proposed to spend the summer in Italy
2
a
: to set forth for acceptance or rejection
propose terms for peace
propose a topic for debate
b
: to recommend to fill a place or vacancy : nominate
propose them for membership
c
: to offer as a toast
propose the happiness of the couple
proposer
noun
Examples of propose in a Sentence
The scientists proposed a new theory.
The mayor proposed a plan for a new bridge.
Several senators have proposed raising the tax.
I propose that we revise the bylaws.
They propose to buy a new house.
How do you propose solving this problem?
The chairman proposed the young executive as a candidate for promotion.
Recent Examples on the Web
New metric to monitor UW academic programs proposed The new metric calls for flagging programs that enroll fewer than 15 juniors and seniors who have declared the major over a three-year rolling average.
—
Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Trump admin proposes offshore drilling near California, Florida Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a five-year offshore drilling plan last month that includes new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Murphy urged local governments to regularly review existing fees, and to examine a municipality’s cumulative homebuilding fees whenever an increase or a new fee is proposed.
—Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The European Commission has proposed a €140 billion reparation loan for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propose
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Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Trump admin proposes offshore drilling near California, Florida Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a five-year offshore drilling plan last month that includes new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Murphy urged local governments to regularly review existing fees, and to examine a municipality’s cumulative homebuilding fees whenever an increase or a new fee is proposed.
—Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The European Commission has proposed a €140 billion reparation loan for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propose
Cite this Entry
“Propose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propose. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
propose
verb
pro·pose
prə-ˈpōz 
proposed; proposing
1
: to make a suggestion to be thought over and talked about : suggest
propose a new theory
2
: to make plans : intend
propose to buy a new house
3
: to suggest for filling a place or office
propose someone for membership
4
: to make an offer of marriage
proposer
noun
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