planning

verb

Definition of planningnext
present participle of plan
1
as in preparing
to work out the details of (something) in advance we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in intending
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

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 planning Prince William and Prince Harry are both reportedly planning to honor the 30th anniversary of their mother, Princess Diana’s, death. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2026 Democrats have warned in recent months that Trump is planning to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or the National Guard to polling stations, as the president has made election security one of his key objectives in his second term. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not planning operations targeting polling locations, while leaving open the possibility of enforcement in the event of a public safety threat. — Time Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 The projects involve studies and planning for 20 high-injury Sacramento intersections and three city corridors. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Researcher Peter Garrigan told Fox News Moonshot AI's Kimi model could also be manipulated to provide information on planning terrorist attacks using real-time data, creating sarin gas, developing malware and taking down aircraft. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 News of the tax hike for Canal+ also follows in the wake of news that the government was also planning a €47M ($53M) cut in public funds for state broadcaster France Télévisions in 2027. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris is also planning a $10 billion project along the border of the two emirates. — semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 However, planning before the sale provides opportunities to reduce or defer that liability and, in certain circumstances, exclude qualifying gains from taxation. — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for planning
  1. preparing
  2. intending
  3. designing
  4. contemplating
  5. organizing
  6. going
  7. arranging
  8. aiming
Verb
  • All those killed or missing this week were Nepali nationals preparing for foreign clients to arrive for the Autumn climbing season that began this month.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Another worker was seen preparing food without a proper hair restraint, though this was corrected.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of preparing
Verb
  • In June 2022, a man traveled from California to Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland with a handgun, ammunition, a knife, and zip ties, intending to kill the justice.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Musk originally developed Starship for Mars, intending to launch scores of them with the red planet’s first settlers.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of intending
Verb
  • The owner is a major global exporter of wood from Surabaya, Indonesia, and in 2012 began infrastructure work on the nearly 15-acre property while designing the resort with Singapore’s WATG architectural firm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • After opening a second store on the Left Bank, Parisian handbag duo Léo et Violette have given their Rue Sainte-Anne flagship a fresh encore, with Betyle Studio designing a space inspired by the founders’ love of opera and music.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of designing
Verb
  • The city is contemplating a slate of public incentives estimated to total around $185 million.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Statements from Ethiopian officials contemplating the acquisition of the Eritrean port of Assab by force have caused alarm in the Eritrean capital of Asmara.
    — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of contemplating
Verb
  • Centuries before officers appeared in uniform, posing as neutral criminologists, policing developed as a method of organizing society.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This development also signals the ongoing momentum of VFX professionals organizing for fair wages, sustainable benefits, safer working conditions, and a meaningful voice at work.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of organizing
Verb
  • The morning commute on I-80 declined from Rocklin ahead of the Capitol City Freeway split going toward I-5.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Their resilience is, frankly, the thing that keeps the rest of us going.
    — Philip Weinberg, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of going
Verb
  • Newsom was arranging a tour of Southern states later in the summer, specifically to get his face in front of South Carolinians.
    — Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026
  • When clients or surrogates travel to California for important medical milestones, Tang and Sonnenberg are often there themselves—arranging schedules, accompanying appointments, and ensuring that days defined by medicine retain a sense of humanity.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of arranging
Verb
  • Since fashion businesses are aiming to streamline their operations, reduce excess inventory and improve forecasting, both leaders stress that the adoption of new technologies must lead to concrete commercial outcomes.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Spain has seen an emerging coalition of the conservatives and the far right, which are both aiming to use migration concerns against the prime minister, whose government allowed over 1 million immigrants to apply for legal status.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of aiming

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Planning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/planning. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about planning

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