1
as in preparing
to work out the details of (something) in advance
we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in intending
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I plan to have a party for my birthday, even if I have to throw it myself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 planning
Now that the former governor is planning a run for mayor, New Yorkers should hear those questions.
—
Peter Arbeeny, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
The producers are planning to sell the film at the Cannes Film Market in May.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
The two definitely crossed paths when Tanya was planning to fund Belinda's wellness business before pulling out at the last moment to enjoy her whirlwind romance with Greg.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Comments For everyone who watched the premiere of White Lotus last night and is now planning a Thailand vacation—albeit one without the drama—staying at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is an obvious choice.
—Anna Haines, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for planning
Peter Arbeeny, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
The producers are planning to sell the film at the Cannes Film Market in May.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
The two definitely crossed paths when Tanya was planning to fund Belinda's wellness business before pulling out at the last moment to enjoy her whirlwind romance with Greg.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Comments For everyone who watched the premiere of White Lotus last night and is now planning a Thailand vacation—albeit one without the drama—staying at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is an obvious choice.
—Anna Haines, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for planning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for planning
Verb
-
Membership schools need to decide whether investing millions of dollars in high school sports should be about winning championships or preparing teenagers to be adults.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
As the case was preparing to go to trial, in May 2004, the parties settled.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union group started in 1874 intending to end the consumption of alcohol in the United States.—
Elaine Shirley,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Apr. 2025
-
China is also targeting the moon, intending to land astronauts there by 2030.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, 61% of medical students are contemplating careers outside clinical practice, viewing medical school as a stepping stone to other fields in healthcare.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Over five million Syrians have been displaced abroad over the last 13 years, and many of them are now contemplating a return home.—
Karam Shaar,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Energy Transfer, the operator of the Dakota Access Pipeline, accused Greenpeace USA and International of playing a central role in organizing the resistance to the pipeline at Standing Rock in 2016 and 2017.—
Simmone Shah,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
-
In response, a group of Catholics are organizing a counter protest at the same time.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Before the repeal, Soto was arranging for free Spanish-language weddings in Little Havana and building up support for Dade County to retire its English-only policy.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
-
In the book, Stewart shares advice on topics such as growing produce and arranging flowers.—
Claire Murashima,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In high-stress emergencies, calculating the correct dose to withdraw from a vial takes time and increases the risk of error.—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The remark was made by the calculating corporate climber Tom Wambsgans, on spotting a large Burberry handbag worn by a woman outside of the Roy family’s inner circle.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In doing so, their press suffered, looking disjointed.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is looking for volunteers for its annual tree-planting event next month.—
Isaac Avilucea,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
However, this lumpy performance has been frustrating for investors trying to time the market rather than maintain a constant exposure to small caps.—
Bret Kenwell,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
New York police on Monday were trying to determine why someone set a woman ablaze board a train in Brooklyn in a fatal attack drawing outrage from city and state leaders who have been laboring to make the trains safer.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Planning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/planning. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share