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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
Rosalía worked with Daníel Bjarnason, who is the conductor for the London Symphony Orchestra, to executive produce the project. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025 The mission, called Escapade — short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration Dynamics Explorers — is a low-cost planetary science project funded by NASA and spearheaded by the University of California, Berkeley, with support from commercial companies Advanced Space and Rocket Lab. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
Indeed, all three of the nation’s cable-news outlets are projected to have a shortfall in advertising revenue for 2025. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025 This came in part as costs rise and as the healthcare fund, which producers make weekly contributions into, was projected to fall into a deficit by May of next year, according to Equity. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • The lawsuit states that camp officials announced plans to reopen next summer even though the body of one camper, 8-year-old Cile Steward, remains missing.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • To add to the hilarity, one of the dachshunds appeared to have chewed through a couch cushion and somehow gotten stuck inside it, with its head and legs filmed protruding through the torn fabric.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The early word was that the protruding pair was a customized version of Adidas Adistar Cushion 3 sneakers made specifically for Williams.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness are tested in constantly changing combinations designed to reward the most well-rounded performers.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
  • This whisper-quiet air purifier is designed to tackle mold, dust, smoke, and other allergens in large spaces of up to 3,048 square feet.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Their findings provide a blueprint for improving efficiency, stability, and scalability, key steps toward mass deployment and alignment with China’s carbon neutrality goals.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025
  • And the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting countries with its operational framework for climate-resilient health systems, offering a blueprint for countries to use these funds to build health systems that can withstand and respond to climate shocks.
    Vanessa Kerry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The two-minute intro video poked gentle fun at British TV, gender politics, and artificial intelligence — and was made entirely with AI.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Shoving, tapping, poking and generally wanting to clobber the person snoring beside you doesn’t exactly put anyone in the mood for love either.
    Ian Kerner, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Slot even admitted that Liverpool had spent the day before the trip to Brentford preparing for Michael Kayode’s long throws.
    The Athletic's Liverpool staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Their decision has highlighted deep divisions over legislative priorities and political strategy as lawmakers scramble to resolve the shutdown and address its nationwide consequences.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • What happened next, this time, was strange, and not uniformly validating for the Democrats’ strategy.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Despite macro headwinds, Lululemon stood out in the market for achieving double-digit topline growth.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The actor rose to prominence in the early ’90s, standing out in Encino Man (1992), School Ties (1992), and Airheads (1994) before swinging into theaters as George of the Jungle (1997) and finding critical acclaim in Gods and Monsters (1998).
    Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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