plan 1 of 2

noun

ˈplan How to pronounce plan (audio)
Definition of plannext
1
as in strategy
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective there is a contingency plan in the office for handling almost any emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish our plan is to finish up by next Friday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plan

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to prepare
to work out the details of (something) in advance we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to intend
to have in mind as a purpose or goal I plan to have a party for my birthday, even if I have to throw it myself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun plan contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plan are design, plot, project, and scheme. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When is design a more appropriate choice than plan?

While in some cases nearly identical to plan, design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

When could plot be used to replace plan?

While the synonyms plot and plan are close in meaning, plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

When is it sensible to use project instead of plan?

In some situations, the words project and plan are roughly equivalent. However, project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

Where would scheme be a reasonable alternative to plan?

The synonyms scheme and plan are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 plan
Noun
Colorado’s only restaurant with two Michelin stars plans to extend its pop-up residency at Clayton Hotel & Members Club through the end of the year, according to Id Est, the restaurant group that owns The Wolf’s Tailor. — The Know, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 If your debt is unmanageable, check with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to see if a debt management plan might help. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
The company ultimately plans to deploy 12,992 satellites by 2035. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 Skydance plans to spend at least $30 billion a year on film, television and video game content. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan
  1. strategy
  2. goal
  3. prepare
  4. intend
  5. blueprint
  6. purpose
  7. design
  8. contemplate
Noun
  • Saujet developed its brand strategy and creative expression in partnership with Studio ALIFFI, founded by former chief brand officer of Neiman Marcus Nabil Aliffi.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This work evidences both a moral courage and brash authority on Simon’s part and speaks to the deep ethical complexity of her concerns and strategies as an artist.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • England, which aims to eliminate the virus by 2030, has already met its goal of treating 80% of its hepatitis C infections.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Clients meet with their advisor periodically to discuss priorities and review progress on financial goals.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of goal
Verb
  • To prepare, the team interviewed many people working in the region.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Residents in those areas are being advised to prepare for the possibility of long-duration power outages.
    — David Schutz, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • Their different lengths are intended to offer broadcasters alternative scheduling options.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The emergency reserve has already fallen to its lowest level since the 1980s following releases intended to cushion oil price shocks from the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of intend
Noun
  • From the lingo to the swag, he’s made a career out of being the blueprint for trappers to follow.
    — Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Short lived acquisition Once seen as a blueprint for Chinese startups seeking global reach, Manus has become a cautionary tale for companies squeezed between regulators in Beijing and Washington.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of blueprint
Noun
  • On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from being part of the salon decor, the sculpture’s purpose, Ingram explained, is to introduce Vero’s service to his clientele.
    — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • The new version centers on Dalin, a single mother who designs bridal gowns and whose devotion to her job has opened a gap between her and her 10-year-old daughter Mina.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • GroundBreaker 1 is designed to evaluate unmanned ground vehicle technologies for potential employment across tactical and non-tactical missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of design
Verb
  • Todd has already contemplated what a sibling Grammy showdown might look like.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Approximately 18% of all Latino high school students have seriously contemplated suicide and 42% of Latino youths reported constantly feeling sad or hopeless, recent congressional studies found.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplate

Phrases Containing plan

Browse Nearby Words

plaits
plan
plane
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Cite this Entry

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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