Definition of projectnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun project contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of project are design, plan, plot, and scheme. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

When would design be a good substitute for project?

Although the words design and project have much in common, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

In what contexts can plan take the place of project?

The synonyms plan and project are sometimes interchangeable, but plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When is plot a more appropriate choice than project?

The words plot and project are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

When might scheme be a better fit than project?

In some situations, the words scheme and project are roughly equivalent. However, 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 project
Noun
Wu vowed at last week’s vigil that the city would conduct an analysis of road design at the corridor where Gag was killed and recommit to bike lanes and street safety projects that she has been hammered for pausing in the wake of Gag’s death. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 July 2026 Goldenrod’s second tower project — One University — appears to still be in the early foundation stages. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Verb
City Hall projects the levy could raise as much as $500 million a year, though the comptroller’s office pegs the figure closer to $340 million to $380 million. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 July 2026 The company projects its technology can improve semiconductor yields by 3% to 5% while preventing costly wafer losses. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • It’s been a weird few weeks for Mysaria, with Daemon’s influence rising and falling, and her plan to leverage Helaena’s pregnancy falling apart within moments.
    Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The price of benefit plans for Medicaid and Medicare have also gone up substantially.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In several looks, the hips protruded impressively outward, but the silhouette appeared more subtle and somewhat suitable for everyday wear in the label’s delicate camisole tops.
    Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026
  • While Kali’s protruding tongue is sometimes interpreted as a gesture of embarrassment or shame, the Rolling Stones’ logo reimagines it as a symbol of protest and antiestablishment sentiment.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Yavuzer has spent more than 29 years designing saunas and spas across 55 countries before bringing Ottoman bathing culture to the Magic City.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Those concerns also revolve around AI agents, which are software products that are designed to perform tasks autonomously.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Dior, however, has become the blueprint for how luxury brands should build out a fragrance franchise.
    Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego, is the ideal fit for this blueprint.
    Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The family dog, named by local media as Rocky, was found alive after one of the rescuers spotted his tail poking out of the rubble.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • While viral videos poke fun, territorial scrums over scarce Costco spots can turn ugly, and sometimes violent.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • While the summer focuses on prepared foods, the Toupses also do holiday drop-offs during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Valentine’s Day that provide ingredients for preparing festive meals at home.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The accident occurred while the plane was conducting a sightseeing flight and preparing to begin its ​return journey, according to police reports to local press.
    Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Kansas Athletics is on the verge of hiring an executive director for front-office strategy and operations, KU athletic director Travis Goff told The Star on Wednesday afternoon.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The first stage focuses on meeting school community members, the second involves building an academics strategy, the third revolves around operations and finance and the final stage brings those steps together.
    Austin Horn July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • But, really, that’s what makes JRAD stand out from the very crowded field of Dead tributes out there.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In today's commodity market, where products and services often share similar prices and offerings, customer experience stands out as the key differentiator.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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