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project

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verb

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
The second time was the charm for a pair of home projects presented to the La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee this week — albeit by a razor-thin margin. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025 Two of Shakira’s projects return to the Billboard charts this week. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
They’re projected to hire roughly 6,500 cast and crew, as well as 32,000 background performers, all of whom will be paid more than $302 million in wages. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025 The Valkyries are projected to bring in fifty-five million dollars in revenue from sponsorships and ticket sales this year alone, far more than Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, raked in last year. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • The Justice Department ended over 4,000 positions as part of a sweeping reorganization, including plans to cut 1,500 personnel from the FBI, according to budget documents reviewed by the Washington Examiner.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2025
  • In this way, UNICEF advocates for governments to adopt a child-centric approach in their policies, plans and budgets.
    UNICEF USA, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The animals have small eyes that slightly protrude from their heads, which are smooth and flat, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
  • Books fly off the shelves, a protruding nail vanishes and then reappears, a Ouija board spells an incomplete message, and there’s definitely something on the third floor.
    Gabino Iglesias, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The feds allege that the tens of millions of dollars Combs made building the Bad Boy Records empire funded a criminal enterprise designed to cater to his every desire.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
  • The Wall of Sound was their most audacious attempt: a 60-foot-wide, 75-ton scaffold of nearly 600 speakers designed to deliver pristine, distortion-free sound to both the band and audience.
    Noah Eckstein, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Rihanna’s business empire follows the same blueprint Baker pioneered, using stardom to control an entire industry.
    Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • But even with Durant’s resurgence as a blueprint, the expectation is caution.
    Kristian Winfield, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Cunningham came to the defense of her teammate Clark, retaliating with less than a minute left on the clock after, earlier in the game, the Fever's superstar player was poked in the eye and then knocked to the ground by two separate Sun players.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • As Clark backed Sheldon down at the top of the key, Sheldon poked Clark in the eye.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • So, the National Weather Service has been working closely with FIFA’s safety and security chief to develop plans for all 11 U.S. cities preparing to host World Cup games next year.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • This area is fairly rugged, so be prepared for a hike and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • There’s safety with the hoarding strategy, but there’s also plenty of risk below the surface.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • But the Ryder board, about a decade ago, wanted CEO Robert Sanchez to focus on innovation and how to lead the company beyond the core strategy and services that had sustained it for decades.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Tires stands out as a fairly unusual Netflix production, given its subject matter, format and scale.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Excelling on both sides of the ball Prospect Aroon Escobar has stood out at Low-A Clearwater this season, hitting .315/.410/.500 through 55 games.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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