project 1 of 2

Definition of projectnext

project

2 of 2

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

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
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that agencies rigorously evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives for a project that may be safer, cheaper and more environmentally sound. Charles Rilli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 As part of that project, Vance announced the administration would temporarily halt $243 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns, a move over which the state has since sued. Ali Swenson, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some league reporters/analysts have been projecting interior defensive line to the Pats in Round 1 (McDonald, Banks). Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026 Flexjet is projecting about 350 to 400 flights, and Vista projects over 20 flights a day. Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • Apple’s initial plans were to build a lighter version of the Vision Pro headset, but the company began prioritizing smart glasses around October last year, according to Gurman.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Right now, the plan is to cut all funding to the program, which could affect the availability of healthy food in some areas of San Francisco.
    John Ramos, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Shards of glass and ceramic, rusted metal, medical and bio-waste, syringes, cracked circuit boards, and broken electronics protruded everywhere.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Inspect your deck for rotting boards, loose or rusted fasteners and screws, protruding nails, splintered areas, and termite damage.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • View gallery - 6 images After Polish architecture firm KWK Promes won a competition in 2016 to design a luxury single-family home in suburban Vilnius, Lithuania, a law slashed the allowable building footprint in half.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
  • But Kardashian and Barker’s wedding is better known for its apparent Dolce & Gabbana brand integration—the fashion house designed the bride’s wedding looks and the seaside villa where the couple exchanged their vows was owned by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • If an account is ever compromised, that data can act as a blueprint of your life, not just a camera feed.
    Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Pronger said the timing of a team’s cycle had roughly as much to do with its ability to make good on the opportunities that emerge from lean years as its blueprint, with fortune and design dovetailing in the most successful rebuilds.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Officers poked a hole in the bag and found the elder Ordonez's body.
    Annasofia Scheve, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • France has one of the highest top income tax rates in the European Union and Briere’s treatment sparked a flurry of social media commentary in France, with some poking fun at the taxman’s pursuit of the government’s dues.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Despite intelligence that Saigon would be overrun by the North Vietnamese Army in a matter of days, the American Ambassador, Graham Martin, refused to prepare for an evacuation.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The only lockers with equipment left in them belonged to Alexandre Carrier and Noah Dobson, the team’s only two right-shot defencemen, two players who were clearly not boarding that flight the team’s equipment staff was preparing for.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Between them, Braque and Picasso had formulated appropriative strategies that would be used over the ensuing decades.
    Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Jules Borkent, executive vice president of global commercial partnerships and operations, will continue to oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family’s business and strategy, working in partnership with Alec and other key stakeholders to maximize the Nick brand.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Wings were in desperate need of an automatic outside shooter like Fudd after finishing last in the league in 3-point percentage last season, and Miller said the Huskies star’s defense also stood out in the evaluation process.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Each new model includes materials that celebrate anniversaries this year and what makes the brand stand out in the industry.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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