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
Current oil market pricing directly affects whether these multi-year redevelopment programs balance their expenses. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 There were multiple big-time programs that needed new coaches that cycle, from heavyweights like Texas and LSU to the Phil Knight–backed Oregon. — John Talty, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026 Eighty-five percent of the families that go to our daughter’s school district, our Title One school, get federal programs. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The strongest organizations are not those that occasionally launch ambitious transformation programs. — Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Those circumstances can make individual research programs especially relevant to the community following their progress. — Emma Clapp, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The fund is a primary source of money for climate projects in California, but a new three-tier payout system left some crucial programs last in line to receive money. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 At the same time, many of these tech companies, like Microsoft and IBM, have been providing accessible professional certificate programs to workers across the globe in hopes of closing the skills gap. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 In addition to multiple scholarship donations and programs, Parton also mobilized over the years after natural disasters affected both her home state and surrounding areas. — CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for programs
  1. schedules
  2. plans
  3. procedures
  4. schemes
  5. agendas
  6. strategies
  7. policies
  8. designs
Noun
  • With France established as a producer and distributor of cozy crime – a genre much in vogue with buyers, who appreciate its wide appeal and flexibility in schedules – there are several new shows to look out for.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In a sport that once valued strong schedules, this was the venue for big-name non-conference matchups to help bolster a late-season resume and, in turn, ratings for college football’s big debut.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of schedules
Noun
  • Once the moon enters Gemini, conversations will pick up speed as plans become more flexible.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That includes its previous plans to commit more than $10 billion to autonomous vehicles in the coming years.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of plans
Noun
  • Once a provider is integrated into facilities, workflows, safety procedures and regulatory relationships, switching becomes more consequential than replacing an ordinary software tool.
    — John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In addition, cosmetic procedures most commonly linked to post-weight loss patients grew last year by more than 20% in multiple categories, the same data shows.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 2 Sep. 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
  • Engelbert has presided over a period of impressive growth, no question, and the real problem rests with outsiders advancing their agendas and chasing their votes.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And then there are the dozens of examples of rogue cops using Flock cameras for their own personal agendas, such as tracking wives, girlfriends or ex-girlfriends.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of agendas
Noun
  • Budgets and bureaucracy can move at a glacial pace, and internal politics often determine the weapons and strategies a country pursues in surprising ways.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The best strategies come from understanding business objectives, listening carefully and aligning people before making decisions.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of strategies
Noun
  • Unless those policies change, a shrinking workforce will cause slower economic growth and lead to more expensive public debt.
    — Stuart Anderson, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Arcane domestic laws and policies prevent the necessary coordination and authority to defend against drone attacks.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of policies
Verb
  • Samba has ties to the Brazilian Carnival tradition, so Anna picks out a floral fabric and designs a skirt with feather-style panels that will move around with the dancer.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Katie Becker, chief creative officer of Arc’teryx, said the brand designs products to perform for the long term.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of designs

Browse Nearby Words

programming
programs
progress
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Cite this Entry

“Programs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/programs. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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