proposal

[ pruh-poh-zuhl ]

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

/ prəˈpəʊzəl /

noun

1. the act of proposing
2. something proposed, as a plan
3. an offer, esp of marriage

Other Words From

• mispro·posal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of proposal¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

It is certainly true that the administration has proposed some ambitious plans to rein in pharmaceutical pricing, but it has hardly enacted any of those proposals.

From Axios

It’s because their agenda is the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee.

From Washington Blade

Discussions over the proposal aren’t expected to yield congressional floor action for weeks.

From Fortune

On Wednesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved a proposal from the New York Stock Exchange that will allow companies to issue new shares via a direct listing process.

From Fortune

NMA CEO David Chavern said he expects the House of Representatives will be supportive of the proposals and that it is gathering more support from the Senate, including majority leader Mitch McConnell.

From Digiday

In 2013, however, Paul released another budget proposal that reversed course.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, a proposal to raise the minimum wage to a little more than $10 an hour languishes in Congress.

From The Daily Beast

However, Adriana referenced a proposal “to transform the current prison into a cultural center.”

From The Daily Beast

He says there are discussions with U.S. officials about the proposal but there is deep suspicion.

From The Daily Beast

The new proposal from Beijing requires a majority vote by the Hong Kong Legislature to go into effect.

From The Daily Beast

The king was struck with horror at the description I had given him of those terrible engines, and the proposal I had made.

From Project Gutenberg

The Admiralty have turned down the proposal to force the Straits simultaneously by land and sea.

From Project Gutenberg

This was no longer a plan whereby all might be poor together, but a proposal that all should be rich together.

From Project Gutenberg

In its essential nature socialism is nothing but a proposal for certain kinds of economic reform.

From Project Gutenberg

"No, you will not," cried three or four officers of his regiment, who had come up in time to hear his proposal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bid
• idea
• motion
• offer
• outline
• overture
• plan
• program
• project
• proposition
• recommendation
• scheme