Synonyms of design

design 1 of 2

noun

1

as in plan

a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective

she always achieves her objective by design rather than by luck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plan
• strategy
• blueprint
• project
• program
• scheme
• system
• arrangement
• proposal
• master plan
• game
• game plan
• ground plan
• idea
• road map
• way
• recipe
• procedure
• technique
• device
• intent
• intention
• purpose
• plot
• maneuver
• conspiracy
• policy
• gambit
• collusion
• stratagem
• layout
• conception
• aim
• subterfuge
• means
• tactic
• ruse
• protocol
• contrivance
• map
• trick
• pattern
• setup
• platform
• diagram
• formula
• counterstrategy
• counterplan
• projet
• specific(s)
• specification(s)

2

as in scheme

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends

the thief had devised an elaborate design to get the invaluable artwork

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scheme
• conspiracy
• plot
• intrigue
• strategy
• machination
• manipulation
• maneuver
• subterfuge
• trickery
• program
• system
• stratagem
• counterconspiracy
• draft
• dodge
• racket
• cabal
• frame-up
• ground plan
• contrivance
• ring
• cover-up
• counterplot
• confederacy
• collusion
• gimmick
• game
• complicity
• trick
• conniving
• artifice
• connivance
• conspiration

3

as in purpose

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

my design in writing to you is to ask for your support

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plan
• purpose
• goal
• idea
• aim
• intent
• intention
• thing
• objective
• object
• ambition
• dream
• meaning
• aspiration
• ideal
• project
• target
• point
• end
• name of the game
• mark
• scheme
• pretension
• hope
• bourne
• mind
• desire
• plot
• wish
• holy grail
• destination
• grail
• nirvana
• terminus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• method
• means
• way

4

as in motif

a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric)

the curtains have a lovely floral design

Synonyms & Similar Words

• motif
• pattern
• motive
• decoration
• ornament
• scheme
• figure
• device
• adornment
• embellishment
• trim
• garnish
• frill
• caparison

5

as in layout

the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged

the design of the building's lobby encourages the free flow of traffic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• layout
• format
• composition
• pattern
• theme
• arrangement
• motif
• configuration
• form
• makeup
• constellation
• getup
• ordonnance

design

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈzīn 

1

as in to plan

to have in mind as a purpose or goal

early on she had designed to a top position in a major insurance company

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plan
• intend
• look
• hope
• contemplate
• aim
• purpose
• mean
• go
• try
• propose
• wish
• calculate
• aspire
• attempt
• allow
• figure on
• meditate
• dream
• purport
• consider
• scheme
• debate
• endeavor
• struggle
• strive
• effect
• achieve
• accomplish
• execute
• plot
• mull (over)
• ponder
• perform

2

as in to prepare

to work out the details of (something) in advance

the foreman designed a better layout for the factory floor to improve efficiency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plan
• prepare
• organize
• project
• arrange
• plot
• budget
• shape
• devise
• chart
• calculate
• blueprint
• outline
• scheme (out)
• map (out)
• draft
• choreograph
• frame
• lay out
• strategize (about)
• sketch
• contemplate
• concert
• intend
• figure
• conspire
• contrive
• aim
• get up
• intrigue
• have on
• machinate
• mean
• put up
• meditate
• premeditate

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun design contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of design are plan, plot, project, and scheme. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

When can plan be used instead of design?

The words plan and design are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When would plot be a good substitute for design?

The synonyms plot and design are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

When is project a more appropriate choice than design?

The words project and design can be used in similar contexts, but project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

Where would scheme be a reasonable alternative to design?

Although the words scheme and design have much in common, 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

Recent Examples of design

Noun

Officials on Wednesday presented an arena design with rows of retractable seats that would allow for configurations featuring three basketball courts, five volleyball courts, 12 pickleball courts or 28,000 square feet of meeting space on the floor. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

The architectural design guidance starts with simple hooks but escalates to slim racks sized for pot lids, foil boxes and plastic wrap. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

Treasurer Erick Russell has also pushed changes designed to prevent active bank accounts from being wrongly classified as abandoned. — Mark Lewyn, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Immigration detention centers are designed to hold individuals awaiting decisions in their civil immigration cases, not as punishment for a crime. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026