plan 1 of 2

noun

ˈplan How to pronounce plan (audio)
Definition of plannext
1
as in strategy
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective there is a contingency plan in the office for handling almost any emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish our plan is to finish up by next Friday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plan

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to prepare
to work out the details of (something) in advance we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to intend
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

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
For many low-income enrollees, mid-level plans – called silver plans in the ACA marketplace – effectively became free. —Christopher Robertson, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025 This technology includes software and sensors that help the aircraft plan routes, avoid obstacles, and carry out missions independently. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
The renewal comes after Variety reported in August that Paramount+ planned to open a writers room for a potential Season 2 of the series. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025 The press association also expressed concern over Pentagon plans to move all of the news organizations from dedicated workspaces. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan
  1. strategy
  2. goal
  3. prepare
  4. intend
  5. blueprint
  6. purpose
  7. design
  8. contemplate
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
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • Last season, in Game 5 of the Panthers’ second-round series against Toronto, Boqvist finished with a goal and an assist with Rodrigues injured and played alongside Barkov and Sam Reinhart on Florida’s top line after moving up from his usual spot on the fourth line.
    — Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • After a recent Rangers’ preseason game, Sullivan was shown a video clip of the goal.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of goal
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
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • These are not intended for prolonged play and may break.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s a candle that’s an especially great gift, especially if it’s intended for someone who feels affectionately for Maison Balzac’s cartoonish glassware.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of intend
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
Definition of blueprint
Noun
  • The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described.
    — David McMillin, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Each piece was weathered and color-coded to signal hierarchy and purpose, grounding the film’s grand concept of a migrating Earth into reality.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of purpose
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
Definition of design
Verb
  • Hoover bounces back with a clean game, while Coach Prime contemplates making a quarterback change.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In 2024, almost one in four Americans experienced mental illness, almost 18% had substance abuse problems and over 5% had contemplated suicide, according to the news release.
    — Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of contemplate

Phrases Containing plan

Browse Nearby Words

plaits
plan
plane
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on plan

Nglish: Translation of plan for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a group of lemurs
Name That Animal: Volume 2 Can you tell a meerkat from a wombat?
See All