1
as in preparing
to work out the details of (something) in advance
we planned the school dance down to the smallest detail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in intending
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of planning
Trump is still planning to hold a separate, bipartisan dinner for governors and their spouses at the White House as part of the NGA activities.
—
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
My daughter is planning a wedding in 14 months.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
In Plano, city leaders are already planning for what comes next — regardless of the outcome at the ballot box.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2024, the company was on a growth path, planning to launch in three new markets after being present in 13 cities and regions.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for planning
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
My daughter is planning a wedding in 14 months.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
In Plano, city leaders are already planning for what comes next — regardless of the outcome at the ballot box.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2024, the company was on a growth path, planning to launch in three new markets after being present in 13 cities and regions.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for planning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for planning
Verb
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Levy Restaurants was reportedly only preparing 200 for Sunday’s game day.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The agency is preparing to send four astronauts back to the Moon this March on a high-stakes, ten-day mission to the far side.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As more people prioritize long-term health and wellness, interior designers are seeing a surge in requests for designing separate sleep spaces.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
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Since so much work has already been completed, architects have been tasked with designing the best and least wasteful way of using the infrastructure that's already built.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Collecting vinyl, clubbing at Berghain, contemplating polyamory—this is cool.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
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Proponents of such laws cite potential conflicts of interest between public interests and private ones, particularly when lawmakers or officials are contemplating a move from one sphere to the other.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And now the daughters and granddaughters of the Ladies Aid and League of Catholic Women’s groups are organizing food, shelter, and finances against stone-cold invaders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California has been organizing the Tết Festival for more than 40 years.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Michael Hicks weighs in on how a copy‑paste bill has lawmakers going after degrees Indiana doesn’t even offer in his latest op-ed.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
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At one point, NBC’s color commentator Cris Collinsworth openly wondered how many yards Walker had picked up after going backward.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Emails show Epstein’s associates arranging meetings between him and Black from 2010 to 2017.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Recent articles in the news report Canada, Mexico, Central and South America arranging trading with countries who don't treat them as stepchildren.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 7th place on iSpot’s ranking was Amazon’s Alexa+ spot starring Chris Hemsworth, who runs through several horrifying thought experiments about how the advanced AI might be plotting to murder him in his own home.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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Fashion Deals If your suitcase is already plotting its next trip, these February clothing and shoe deals are worth a look.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Planning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/planning. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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