Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

plan

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of plan

1 a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

  • there is a contingency plan in the office for handling almost any emergency
Synonyms of plan

arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, system
Words Related to plan

collusion, conspiracy, plot

contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick

counterplan, counterstrategy

means, tactic, technique, way

procedure, protocol

conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s)

aim, intent, intention, purpose

diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

2 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

  • our plan is to finish up by next Friday
Synonyms of plan

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing
Words Related to plan

grail, holy grail

plot, project, scheme

desire, hope, mind, wish

nirvana

destination, terminus
Phrases Synonymous with plan

name of the game
Near Antonyms of plan

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of plan

plan, design, plot, scheme, project 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
design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.
    • a design for a new dress
plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.
    • the plot of the play
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
project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.
    • a project to develop the waterfront

plan

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of plan

1 to work out the details of (something) in advance

  • we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail
Synonyms of plan

arrange, blueprint, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, design, frame, lay out, map (out), organize, prepare, project, scheme (out), shape, strategize (about)
Words Related to plan

conspire, contrive, devise, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up

concert, get up

draft, outline, sketch

aim, figure, have on, intend, mean

contemplate, meditate, premeditate

2 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 of plan

aim, allow [chiefly Southern {amp}amp; Midland], aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go [chiefly Southern {amp}amp; Midland], intend, look, mean, meditate, propose, purport, purpose
Words Related to plan

dream, hope, wish

consider, debate, mull (over), ponder

attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try

plot, scheme

accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform
Phrases Synonymous with plan

figure on

Learn More about plan

  1. See words that rhyme with plan Dictionary: Definition of plan Spanish Central: Translation of plan Nglish: Translation of plan for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of plan for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up plan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

glade

an open space surrounded by woods

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. Spartan Red Cross Warns of Shelter Conditions

  2. hirsute RIP Burt Reynolds

  3. op-ed NYT Publishes Anonymous Piece

  4. collegiality Kavanaugh Mentions Word in Hearing

  5. mistrial Manafort Guilty on 8 Counts

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games