programs 1 of 2

noun

plural of program
1
as in schedules
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 plans
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 procedures
a way of acting or proceeding recommends a program of regular dental checkups

Synonyms & Similar Words

programs

2 of 2

verb

variants also programmes
present tense third-person singular of program
as in schemes

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 programs
Noun
Unfortunately, the government then spends the equivalent of 24% of GDP on its various programs. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 In contrast, Asian students were less than 15% of the county’s student population but made up about half of the enrolees at the magnet programs. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Expanding worker retraining programs, investing in the ailing public school system, and improving access to community colleges will do far more than tariffs to rebuild the middle class—and are the first steps in forging a new social contract. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 And while schools have historically looked unflinchingly at those totals—public FBS programs paid about $700 million in football buyouts from 2017-2025, per Sportico’s college finance database—none have opened their wallets so far this season. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Hunting license fees and federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment help fund habitat restoration, wildlife research and conservation programs. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The proposals come as local governments face rising costs, budget pressures and cuts to federal safety net programs. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 In the ensuing political turmoil, health workers went on strike, vaccine orders were delayed and follow-up vaccinations that usually accompany routine programs were disrupted. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 Pending the results of that investigation, the chapter has been told to not hold any events or programs. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for programs
  1. schedules
  2. plans
  3. procedures
  4. schemes
  5. agendas
  6. strategies
  7. policies
  8. designs
Noun
  • Agents operate in environments where permissions, inventory, schedules, threats and operational conditions can change quickly.
    — Shekhar Iyer, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The embassy also urged travelers to confirm flight schedules directly with their airlines and allow extra time to reach their destinations.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of schedules
Noun
  • Because the retail business is rapidly changing, action plans are expected to change.
    — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Le Pen's plans involve billions in new spending and lack credibility, according to Bloomberg Economics.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of plans
Noun
  • The demonstration was part of a series of tests intended to validate the procedures, networks, and interfaces required to operate the Stingray from a carrier.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Partners are left to navigate this morass of funding sources, each with their own procedures, timelines, and conditions.
    — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of procedures
Verb
  • Marty, who was loosely based on real-life ping-pong legend Marty Reisman, schemes his way to competitions across the globe and hustles for pocket cash.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Joy Randolph, follows a desperate gallery owner (Portman) who schemes to sell a dead man as art at Art Basel in Miami.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • About 70% of the members of Brazil’s lower house and 80% of the Senate are considered to be hostile to environmental and climate agendas, according to the observatory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Under the Brown Act, public meeting agendas must be available at least 72 hours ahead of time, or Friday evening for a Monday evening meeting.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of agendas
Noun
  • Eighty-six percent of family-office principals and senior executives are including crypto in their investment strategies.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The contest offers a glimpse into a purple region at a time when both parties are testing strategies for winning voter loyalty — not just in the midterms but looking ahead to 2028.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of strategies
Noun
  • When Gray Swan launched the original red-team Arena in September 2024, Fredrikson said, most AI applications were chatbots, and the models were bad at following their policies.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The district then changed its admissions policies, factoring in the poverty levels of the schools the students attended.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of policies
Verb
  • Headquartered in Hickory since 1992, the company designs and manufactures components for advanced computing infrastructure, enterprise and telecommunications networks, as well as military applications.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Stuart Burt is casting director, Susan Kulkarni designs costumes, Helen Keane of Campbell Young Associates designs wigs, hair and makeup, and Alex Payne is fight director.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of designs

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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

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