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
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Fresh laughter loosens rigid thinking and plans. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026 The plan is under review by Iran's parliament, according to the state outlet Fars. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
But a new event this November in Miami, Time to Drive, plans to merge the two in what will surely be one of the hottest tickets around. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026 Intel plans to use the cash for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures and working capital. — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 10 Aug. 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
  • Crews arrived and immediately adopted a defensive strategy while trying to bring the blaze under control.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Amir Becker, Dream’s chief business and strategy officer, said the way the AI system operated in this latest case was alarming.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • Daniel Arcila scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute, and Club León advanced to the Leagues Cup knockout stage with a 3-2 win over Inter Miami, which saw star Lionel Messi return following the death of his father.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Your heart is in the right place, and the goal is a good one.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of goal
Verb
  • Below, shop nine incredible beauty products straight from her shelf and prepare to get healthy, smooth, and absolutely glowing skin.
    — Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Millions across Europe, the Arctic, and North America are preparing for a spectacular total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • The bed is also constructed with pressure-relieving orthopedic foam intended to help support joints and muscles.
    — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Chicago area programming by NOBLE includes a program called The Law & Your Community, intended to encourage productive interactions with law enforcement, Davis said.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of intend
Noun
  • This blueprint needs to be built around three fundamental pillars.
    — Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt asked Bush to develop a blueprint for how science could contribute to national health, economic prosperity and job creation after the war.
    — H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blueprint
Noun
  • But, rather than demolish the historic bridge, it was preserved and given a new purpose.
    — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The purpose of the RIMPAC demonstration was to showcase a new artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) sonar processing system called SensorMAX.
    — David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • This two-piece set was particularly designed for lounging and getting things done alike.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Features like autoplay, infinite scroll and algorithmic content recommendations have been the prime targets of legal arguments that social media platforms are designed to be addictive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of design
Verb
  • With rates here already around 4% and with the Federal Reserve contemplating a rate hike later in 2026, this account could soon be even more profitable for savers.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, every year thousands of students who had contemplated teaching or pharmacy or public service become accidental financiers.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of contemplate

Phrases Containing plan

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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 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plan

Nglish: Translation of plan for Spanish Speakers

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