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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
In the end the project fizzled; publishers weren't excited and the advances mentioned would never pay for all our globetrotting. Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025 Public Investment Fund aims to create around 178,000 jobs through the development, and contribute nearly $5 billion to the kingdom’s economy when the project is done. Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
For example, in the Cumberland Mountains of southwestern Virginia, a 100-year flood is projected to cause Slate Creek to engulf Buchanan General Hospital in more than 5 feet of water. CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 For someone like Eli, then, projecting movie-star-like virility and vigor was an exercise in social advancement, in distancing himself from his babushka forebears’ grim reality. David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • Defending Education’s Nicole Neily, who was also at McMahon’s confirmation, stood next to McMahon when the secretary announced an investigation into the Maine Department of Education for keeping records from parents about student gender identity plans.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.
    Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting regime, designed to make United profitable again, epitomises that financial landscape.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Levi's 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans Skinny jeans can be uncomfortable, but these ones from Levi’s are specifically designed with a tummy panel that smooths your mid-section and a stretchy fabric that hugs your curves.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In running for president, Milei made dollarization the centerpiece of his economic blueprint.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Gustavsson provides a good blueprint for Wallstedt, too — an example of how goalies don’t always take off right away.
    Joe Smith, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Cowboys poked a hole in the Jets’ balloon after the Hall fumble.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • An alligator’s head could be seen poking out of the water just a few feet away as Whaley prepared to take his shot, but the 30-year-old quickly brought the ball back onto dry land and escaped with par on the 11th green.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • A week ago, the Boston Red Sox were preparing for their first trip to the postseason in four years.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Participants will learn the basics of Dutch oven cooking and how to prepare various recipes, some that include wild game meat.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Drivers opted for different tire strategies up and down the grid.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Streaming consolidation, soaring production costs and the rapid rise of AI have forced executives to rethink business models and creative strategies.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, what stands out to him while watching Guerrero is how his younger teammate is improving in every facet of the game, particularly in his mastery of the little things.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • All of these aspects help the Dell 14 Premium stand out visually, if nothing else.
    Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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