PROJECT Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

project 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-ˌjekt

Definition of project

as in plan

a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective an ambitious project to develop the city's waterfront

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

project

2 of 2

verb

prə-ˈjekt

as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point some boulders projected dangerously out above the trail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to plan

to work out the details of (something) in advance we must project next year's budget now

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Another key project is the $410 million expansion of the Muscat Expressway, designed to ease traffic congestion and support the capital’s ongoing urban development. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 Permits filed with the city of Meridian in 2025 indicate that the project is valued at nearly $32 million. — Rose Evans august 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026

Verb

And Tuesday’s earnings represented Musk’s last chance to project a positive future before Thursday’s selling event, with Musk telling investors that SpaceX could exit the year at a staggering $100 billion revenue run rate. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 In May, Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team CEO Michael Fine delivered a grim report projecting that the district could run out of cash as early as January or February. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for project

Recent Examples of Synonyms for project

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

Verb

At first, 17-year-old Khloe Aguiar didn’t want to climb the over 100-foot ladder protruding out of the fire truck.

— Julianna Mejia July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
With its extended, protruding proportions and structural overlays, the colorway also features a glow-in-the-dark treatment across its TPU cage.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

Definition of protrude

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

At first glance, corals present as little more than colorful rocks — piles of lobes, stalagmites, and branches poking out from the seafloor.

— Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Even in the bathrooms, the toilet and bidet are concealed inside a kind of Travertine bench and the showerhead pokes out from a monolithic stone slab.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of poke

Verb

While the summer focuses on prepared foods, the Toupses also do holiday drop-offs during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Valentine’s Day that provide ingredients for preparing festive meals at home.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
The accident occurred while the plane was conducting a sightseeing flight and preparing to begin its return journey, according to police reports to local press.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of prepare

Verb

But, really, that’s what makes JRAD stand out from the very crowded field of Dead tributes out there.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
In today's commodity market, where products and services often share similar prices and offerings, customer experience stands out as the key differentiator.

— Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of stand out

Browse Nearby Words

prohibits

project

projected

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“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of project

noun

verb

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