1
as in strategies
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 goals
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
our plan is to finish up by next Friday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in designs
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 intends
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 plans
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The Royals plan to build an entertainment district around the stadium to generate steady profits, though the depths of those plans are not yet clear.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The company said later expansions at the same site could lift output to 250 MW, with longer-term plans reaching 1 GW.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
As the Department of Transportation begins the process of overhauling the country's air traffic control system — a $12 billion undertaking — there are already plans to integrate artificial intelligence into it in the future.
—Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The 18-year-old, who announced his plans to go to UNC Chapel Hill in November 2024 on a scholarship, has a story unlike any other wrestler who has stood alongside him on any podium.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Commissioners are scheduled to review design plans for all three projects.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Carriers have also been pulling back on their capacity growth plans to cut costs, which can drive up airfare when fewer seats are for sale.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The Neue Nationalgalerie plans to begin exhibiting art in the building before its official opening, as that institution can only display a portion of its collection at its current premises.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Rifkin also plans to keep on Monfort’s eatery employees.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
While violating the new traffic laws can lead to tickets, Olathe Police Chief Mike Butaud said the police department plans to first focus on education.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Dubai plans to build a 42-kilometer (26-mile) metro line costing more than $9 billion, providing a major economic stimulus as the emirate tries to shake off the impact of the Iran war.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Jacobson, who plans to move to Forest Lake with his family, is an avid runner and reader.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
The humorous spot is part of a year-long effort by Disney to get audiences enthusiastic about its Super Bowl plans.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Your itinerary, your accommodation and your plans are wrapped up in those booking details, and now someone else may have a copy.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The Royals plan to build an entertainment district around the stadium to generate steady profits, though the depths of those plans are not yet clear.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The company said later expansions at the same site could lift output to 250 MW, with longer-term plans reaching 1 GW.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
As the Department of Transportation begins the process of overhauling the country's air traffic control system — a $12 billion undertaking — there are already plans to integrate artificial intelligence into it in the future.
—Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The 18-year-old, who announced his plans to go to UNC Chapel Hill in November 2024 on a scholarship, has a story unlike any other wrestler who has stood alongside him on any podium.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Commissioners are scheduled to review design plans for all three projects.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Students in the class this semester are redesigning the AI agent to smooth out some kinks, and Ipeirotis plans to use it in all his future classes.
—Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Carriers have also been pulling back on their capacity growth plans to cut costs, which can drive up airfare when fewer seats are for sale.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The Neue Nationalgalerie plans to begin exhibiting art in the building before its official opening, as that institution can only display a portion of its collection at its current premises.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Rifkin also plans to keep on Monfort’s eatery employees.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
While violating the new traffic laws can lead to tickets, Olathe Police Chief Mike Butaud said the police department plans to first focus on education.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Dubai plans to build a 42-kilometer (26-mile) metro line costing more than $9 billion, providing a major economic stimulus as the emirate tries to shake off the impact of the Iran war.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Jacobson, who plans to move to Forest Lake with his family, is an avid runner and reader.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
The humorous spot is part of a year-long effort by Disney to get audiences enthusiastic about its Super Bowl plans.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plans
Noun
-
Even when companies genuinely believe in the long-term potential of their strategies, vague or inflated narratives can create legal exposure.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
By focusing on personal stories and perspectives, the series highlights the intersection of federal power and local lives, achieving significant engagement with its effective blend of traditional reporting and modern social media strategies.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All of Tinley Park’s goals were scored by sophomores.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As the Moon moves through Cancer, your focus shifts to friends, group dynamics, and shared goals.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The piece takes inspiration from Chinese fretwork patterns, Art Noveau designs and German sculptor Hugo Leven’s iconic pewter bat candelabras.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
While Tesla designs its own autopilot FSD chips, Musk’s companies have never manufactured semiconductors.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s not a spoiler, because the six-episode limited series never intends for viewers to entertain the possibility that one of its two main characters only exists within the other’s mind.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Hochman told reporters Monday that his office intends to seek an order that would allow the medical examiner's office to release the report into the teen's death.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Tuesday that the city now has a set of seven free blueprints, including a duplex, a two-story house with a garage and a cottage, that are free to download to get the process of building a new home started.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In the past, peptides were generally believed to be fragments of larger proteins; this doctor’s work helped establish that our genes actually code for many small peptides directly, some of which could become targets or blueprints for new drugs.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Princess Elizabeth and her family toured the Sandringham Park grounds, which were being used for agricultural purposes to contribute to the war efforts, in August 1943.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But as soon as one flagellar motor reverses direction and starts rotating clockwise, the bundle falls apart; the reverse-twirling filament unravels the braid and puts the cell’s flagellar motors at cross-purposes, kicking the cell around.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From the perspective of the Orion spacecraft, the Earth continues to grow larger as the crew prepares for their return.—
Tom Costello,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This all comes as the league prepares to negotiate new deals, including what’s expected to be a bigger share for streamers.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fraser hopes against hope that this whole debacle will increase their tip, however meagerly.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plans. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
