program 1 of 2

noun

ˈprō-ˌgram How to pronounce program (audio)
Definition of programnext
1
as in schedule
a listing of things to be presented or considered (as at a concert or play) the program will tell us the scheduled order of musical numbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in plan
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective we need to come up with a program to deal with kids skipping school

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in procedure
a way of acting or proceeding recommends a program of regular dental checkups

Synonyms & Similar Words

program

2 of 2

verb

variants also programme
as in to scheme

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 program
Noun
And that is precisely where most management development programs have historically underinvested. — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 This level of secrecy reflects the strategic importance of the program, which is intended to preserve the United States’ technological advantage in air combat. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Verb
The effort is part of the DOE’s Genesis Mission Phase I program and focuses on forecasting mesoscale convective systems (MCS) across the continental United States. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026 For some students, the appeal of immediate earnings and jobs that come with attending a trade school is a big draw—many of these graduates secure employment while still enrolled thanks to program partnerships with local businesses. — Jessica Bryant, USA Today, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for program
Recent Examples of Synonyms for program
  1. schedule
  2. plan
  3. procedure
  4. scheme
  5. agenda
  6. strategy
  7. policy
  8. design
Noun
  • Contracts were signed, schedules were cleared, writers room was supposed to start this month, production was supposed to begin early next year.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Lollapalooza 2026 navigated heavy rainfall, delaying Saturday's schedule, yet artists delivered memorable sets.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of schedule
Noun
  • It’s been a weird few weeks for Mysaria, with Daemon’s influence rising and falling, and her plan to leverage Helaena’s pregnancy falling apart within moments.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The price of benefit plans for Medicaid and Medicare have also gone up substantially.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • It can also be dramatized – turning a common medical procedure into something good, bad, or anything in between, depending on who is telling the story and how.
    — Brittany Luse, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Tight end Caleb Lohner still has not practiced with the Broncos since camp began after undergoing an offseason knee procedure.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of procedure
Verb
  • Corey Hawkins as Polybus Polybus is another one of Penelope’s many suitors who scheme to take her hand and kingdoms for themselves.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Ten years on, after devising the victorious Trojan Horse gambit, Ulysses attempts to return to Ithaca and the pining Penelope, whose palace has been overrun with scheming suitors seeking her hand.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • The next few items on Takaichi’s agenda – the anti-espionage law and the foreign intelligence service – will likely court even more controversy.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Academic freedom exists to advance knowledge, not to advance political agendas.
    — Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of agenda
Noun
  • Kansas Athletics is on the verge of hiring an executive director for front-office strategy and operations, KU athletic director Travis Goff told The Star on Wednesday afternoon.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The first stage focuses on meeting school community members, the second involves building an academics strategy, the third revolves around operations and finance and the final stage brings those steps together.
    — Austin Horn July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • Potential monetary policy task force recommendations may involve less transparent communication, a smaller balance sheet with stability risks, and inflation metrics that produce a lower reading.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Traders profit when prices jump up and down, and with his taste for cliffhangers, threats and policy reversals, Trump provides plenty of potentially market-moving content.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of policy
Verb
  • Yavuzer has spent more than 29 years designing saunas and spas across 55 countries before bringing Ottoman bathing culture to the Magic City.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Those concerns also revolve around AI agents, which are software products that are designed to perform tasks autonomously.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of design

Browse Nearby Words

prognostics
program
programmed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Program.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/program. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on program

Nglish: Translation of program for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All