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plan

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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
If all goes according to plan on Thursday's flight, the Falcon 9's upper stage, which is expendable, will deliver the 28 Starlink satellites to LEO about 64 minutes after launch. Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Newsom also pointed to Trump’s plans to attach a $200 million 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the East Wing as a reason for staying in the presidency. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
After high school, Bella plans to continue to study theater in college. Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025 The Forge acquired the film for North America following its Cannes debut and is planning a theatrical release in December. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan
Noun
  • Grab the Racing Dudes Premium Picks and the Travers Betting Bible for detailed race-by-race analysis, exact wagering strategies, and multi-race plays designed to maximize your profits.
    Jared Welch, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But Sinaloa remains, without a doubt, the weak spot in Mexico’s security strategy, with at least 571 civilians killed there in 2025 so far.
    Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Case has ties to larger Trump administration goals The lengthy case has close ties to the Trump administration, which has been vocal in both terms about wanting to change protections enshrined within Section 230.
    Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025
  • During the broadcast, Garcia and Kendall appeared to still be together, though figuring out their dating goals.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • State officials advised residents to prepare for the possibility of dangerous conditions along beaches and coastal communities.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Heather also added videos of the family preparing for Brayden's big birthday bash, with sweet glimpses of Tristan playing with Christina's son Hudson.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Those who intend to walk the entire 5-mile span have to arrange their own return trip to their starting point.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • According to Project 2025 Tracker, while the president has distanced himself from the agenda, a total of 317 objectives from the blueprint have been completed throughout Trump's second term and 63 are in progress.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Our blueprint is clear: refinance $500 million in expensive debt, review and adjust the $30 million dividend, sell non-core assets such as Fuzzy’s, and refresh a board that has been too comfortable for an extended period.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Each separate agency has a unique purpose, but they are all inextricably connected.
    River Selby August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Geometric carpets with lots of squares and triangles are suitable for this purpose.
    Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Complementing the sporty ruggedness of the watch is a black and yellow-green rubber strap with a pattern on it designed to emulate a tennis net.
    Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly a dozen buildings in Arizona.
    Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The company is now contemplating a Series B round as well, with a specific goal of opening new market segments.
    Jim Vinoski, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The club was still contemplating whether to add a sixth starter to the mix sometime during this stretch.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.

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