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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 project continues Chernov’s collaboration with leading documentary producers and distributors, reinforcing his position as one of Ukraine’s most internationally visible filmmakers. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025 This would be a great time to work on a writing or speaking project or even just tune in and get inspired with a podcast or new series. Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
Weather prediction takes a snapshot of the atmosphere today and projects its motion forward, through the theoretical universe of all possible forecasts. Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 Today, that community makes up roughly 15% of Israel’s population of 10 million, a share projected to grow to about a third by 2050 due to high birth rates. Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • More recently, the co-founders called for the company to be separated from Unilever and excluded from its plans to float the ice cream division on the stock market.
    Hugh Cameron Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Apex is continuing to use its current software but plans on fully transitioning to Rec by late February of next year.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The display bezels are super thin at the top and on both sides, with Lenovo’s protruding upper-edge notch housing the webcam and other electronics.
    Mark Coppock, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
  • That is followed by a tabletop planetarium featuring images of planets beamed onto moving objects which magically protrude from it.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The farmer's innovation exemplifies prosocial AI; systems that are tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet; technology that is designed to strengthen rather than extract from social fabric.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This set includes six hangers, each designed with five holes that can hold five garments both horizontally (up to 6 pounds) and vertically (up to 8 pounds).
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That blueprint showed Nasserzadeh what courage in various instances could look like, including at work.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These are not abstract ideals but practical blueprints for building more just, democratic, and equitable societies.
    Mbongiseni Buthelezi, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Keep communication open by avoiding poking fun at these practices.
    Ashleigh N. DeLuca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Gibson proceeded to the Children’s Chorus room, where two staffers welcomed her to poke through the costume racks.
    Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The San Diego State football team, idle over the weekend, has had two weeks to prepare for this weekend’s nonconference game against Cal.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Or preparing their kid for what is next in life.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To learn more about the interim pintail strategy, visit the Fish and Wildlife website.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Many SMBs are also exploring external partnerships as part of their strategy—not as a replacement for internal responsibility, but as a way to extend their capabilities.
    Ro'ee Margalit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since signing last summer, Merino’s performances for Arsenal in midfield have not stood out as much as his performances up front.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Melnikova, the 2021 World Champion and Olympic gold medalist, stood out as an egregious conclusion due to her political involvement.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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