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Synonyms

proposal

American  
[pruh-poh-zuhl] / prəˈpoʊ zəl /

noun

  1. the act of offering or suggesting something for acceptance, adoption, or performance.

    Synonyms:
    recommendation
  2. a plan or scheme proposed.

    Synonyms:
    design, suggestion
  3. an offer or suggestion of marriage.


proposal British  
/ prəˈpəʊzəl /

noun

  1. the act of proposing

  2. something proposed, as a plan

  3. an offer, esp of marriage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Proposal, overture, proposition refer to something in the nature of an offer. A proposal is a plan, a scheme, an offer to be accepted or rejected: to make proposals for peace. An overture is a friendly approach, an opening move (perhaps involving a proposal) tentatively looking toward the settlement of a controversy or else preparing the way for a proposal or the like: to make overtures to an enemy. Proposition, used in mathematics to refer to a formal statement of truth, and often including the proof or demonstration of the statement, has something of this same meaning when used nontechnically (particularly in business). A proposition is a proposal in which the terms are clearly stated and their advantageous nature emphasized: His proposition involved a large discount to the retailer.

Other Word Forms

  • misproposal noun

Etymology

Origin of proposal

First recorded in 1645–55; propose + -al 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A proposal to put up an Irish language street sign near Stormont has been narrowly voted down by Belfast City Council.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Ilyas Lebleu, an A.I. research student based in France who edits Wikipedia under the username Chaotic Enby, first wrote the proposal that was debated and adopted as the site’s A.I. ban.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The proposal would require agreement from other countries bordering the strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

It was merged into Bitcoin’s official improvement proposal repository in February, meaning it is now formally under consideration by the developer community but is still far from being implemented.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Mr. Wickham’s happiness and her own were perforce delayed a little longer, and Mr. Collins’s proposal accepted with as good a grace as she could.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen