PLAN Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

plan 1 of 2

noun

ˈplan

Definition of plan

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

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

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

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

Danielle announced her new role in an Instagram video shared Thursday, reflecting on her relationship with her aunt and her plans to help preserve the singer's legacy. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The original plan for 25 street-legal M6 GTs was eventually altered to 50 examples due to FIA requirements, but production never came to fruition, derailed by the 32-year-old McLaren’s death during testing at Goodwood in 1970. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

Court hearing planned next week Benavides, 56, and Floris, 46, are due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 An anti far-right protest is planned A demonstration Saturday in the city of Orléans, about 70 miles south of Paris, will also be closely watched. — Elitsa Gadeva, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plan

Noun

The agreement came after the EU unveiled a new Arctic strategy aimed at countering growing Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Its faster trial infrastructure, its more integrated translational pathways, and its willingness to link industrial strategy to health delivery hold lessons for governments around the world.

— Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of strategy

Noun

Only 11% said leaving something for the kids is their top financial goal.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Securing public money for them raises issues over church-state separation but fulfills a longstanding goal for Christian conservatives, who lobbied for this funding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

Verb

The foundation cites decades of research and learning showing that grantees with flexible, long-term funding were better prepared for the unexpected.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Nick Sirianni addresses Barkley's return Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the importance of getting Barkley back as the team prepares for Monday night's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

— Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of prepare

Verb

These changes were intended to support the long-distance challenge, which required multiple crossings rather than a single uninterrupted run in one direction.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The throw was intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba but Williams made the interception.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of intend

Noun

Her approach often embraces the ancient process of using botanical forms and organic plants as the blueprint for new design.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
With the nation’s electricity demand skyrocketing, SunZia’s collaboration with conservationists may offer a blueprint for getting more megaprojects built.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of blueprint

Noun

Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Verb

About 75% to 80% of Spirit’s merchandise is designed, developed and sourced by the company, mostly in Asia.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
As part of this approach, ESA has updated its debris mitigation requirements and standards that will govern how its missions are designed, built, flown and disposed of.

— David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of design

Verb

Article 39 also contemplates an Accountability and Care Committee that helps to develop injury-surveillance systems and conducts investigations.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Anyone contemplating retirement abroad should investigate insurance, emergency arrangements and the ability to pay upfront before making the move.

— Lance B. Fulford, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of contemplate

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plaits

plan

plane

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Style

“Plan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plan. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plan

noun

verb

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Synonyms of plan

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing plan

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Cite this Entry

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