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

Who wants to be the last one still funding these data center projects, a dastardly term that encompasses a significant share of economic growth and the stock market? — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026 The project is part of Britain's Active Debris Removal mission, known as UK ADR. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

On the pro-Netanyahu Channel 14, Likud is projected to take 30 seats and Eisenkot about 20. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Back in June, IATA projected that global airline fuel expenditures would reach roughly 350 billion dollars in 2026, accounting for nearly 31% of total operating costs, an increase of roughly 6 percentage points compared to last year. — CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for project

Recent Examples of Synonyms for project

Noun

The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Swift's childhood was tailor-made for a Hallmark movie—but the future pop star already had other plans.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of plan

Verb

Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.

— Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
The face is a glossy black plastic with the exterior lenses slightly protruding, keeping the front from looking like a single flat surface.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of protrude

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

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

Verb

Ask it to poke holes and give you the strongest case against something.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Kessler, standing nearby during Williams’ postgame news conference, poked his head out from behind a black curtain and gave his teammate a thumbs-up.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poke

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

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

Verb

When sprayed on my wrist, tobacco and musks stood out as star notes, while on Murden, the fragrance read sweet and less resinous.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
What stood out to Stewart was the early voting activity in Maine and Iowa, two states that haven't been major battlegrounds in recent elections.

— A Martínez, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stand out

Browse Nearby Words

prohibits

project

projected

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Style

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/project. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of project

noun

verb

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