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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
Budd, a Democrat representing House District 103 in south Mecklenburg County, outlined a four-part plan during a news conference Monday that would devote more resources toward law enforcement, courts and state health care infrastructure. Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025 Satellite communication features, which also allow for typical messaging and calling outside of emergencies, are free for two years and Emergency SOS via satellite is included with Apple Watch Ultra 3 without a cellular plan. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The discount chain Aldi, known for its low prices and no frills approach to grocery shopping, is planning to open more than 225 new stores nationwide in 2025. Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 Sometimes it is planned, timed, choreographed, and orchestrated. Julia Dhar, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan
Noun
  • To learn more about the interim pintail strategy, visit the Fish and Wildlife website.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Many SMBs are also exploring external partnerships as part of their strategy—not as a replacement for internal responsibility, but as a way to extend their capabilities.
    Ro'ee Margalit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The primary goal of these UBI pilots is to help individuals and families through a transition period.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Success comes from choosing intentionally based on individual goals, financial circumstances, and career objectives rather than following outdated assumptions about what career preparation requires.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The San Diego State football team, idle over the weekend, has had two weeks to prepare for this weekend’s nonconference game against Cal.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Or preparing their kid for what is next in life.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It is not intended as legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That blueprint showed Nasserzadeh what courage in various instances could look like, including at work.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These are not abstract ideals but practical blueprints for building more just, democratic, and equitable societies.
    Mbongiseni Buthelezi, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In a 2004 study, the United States Institute of Peace said that hundreds of terrorist groups had migrated online, utilizing a tool meant for better communication for often nefarious purposes.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The farmer's innovation exemplifies prosocial AI; systems that are tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet; technology that is designed to strengthen rather than extract from social fabric.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This set includes six hangers, each designed with five holes that can hold five garments both horizontally (up to 6 pounds) and vertically (up to 8 pounds).
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While vocal over the years about his aversion to sell, take on a business partner or publicly list the company, rumors about Armani contemplating forming a foundation first emerged in 2012.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Conducting compensation negotiations with a team is only one of relevant services contemplated by the SPAC.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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