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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 leadership of the paper, and others within Spotlight interviewed during the investigation, felt that McCarthy had behaved appropriately, and was in fact focused on guaranteeing the accuracy of sensitive, high-stakes projects. Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 While speaking with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden in an interview on June 30, the singer revealed that the new project will give an intimate look at her life like never before. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some analysts expect the secret to be let out, projecting him as a first-round draft pick in 2026. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 Redshirt sophomore Sullivan Absher, who spent most of last season contributing on special teams, or redshirt freshman Guerby Lambert is projected to be Notre Dame’s other starting guard. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for project
Recent Examples of Synonyms for project
Noun
  • The city also agreed to help remove legal blocks to the razing of the Odd Fellows Building, including possible landmark designation, once the hotel company figured out plans for the space.
    Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In 2021, Xi had announced plans for 10 Luban workshops in SCO countries over the next three years.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sharks are often imagined cruising just beneath the waves, dorsal fin protruding from the dark, ocean waters to alert people of their incoming doom.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Hammer four nails about an inch apart into a cross shape at the center of your board so that the heads protrude at least an inch.
    Peter Barrett, Outside, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • It’s designed for school-age children and teens, though many parents train alongside their kids.
    William Jones, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Inspired by Mexico’s Día de Muertos traditions and the Tibetan philosophy of bardo—the liminal space between life and afterlife—the property is designed as a sanctuary for reflection and renewal.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For aspiring thought leaders, this path offers a potent blueprint.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • That means the studio already has an awards campaign blueprint for Johnson to follow.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Notably, @TCUFootball did not poke fun at Belichick’s relationship with his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
  • There was a valley of veins moving over his hands, blue rivers poking underneath his hairless arms.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His mother has obtained lawyers who are preparing a lawsuit over potential security lapses at Icon Brickell that allowed Kehl to access the building.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The inspector general's report adds to severe criticism of the agency for lapses preparing for the event and responding to it.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The session will allow the Republicans to remove one of two remaining Democratic Congressional seats in the state, bringing another victory for Trump’s national redistricting strategy.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Maintaining control of the House will be vital for Vance’s strategy of securing his own political standing by racking up wins for Trump.
    Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • During training sessions in the Portuguese sun, his finishing stood out.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • What stood out most from the discussion was not just the variety of strategies, but the humanity behind them.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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