design 1 of 2

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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

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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

design

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verb

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

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 design
Noun
Analyze how people phrase their interactions with LLMs and adjust your content to fit this design pattern. Pawel Rzeszucinski, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 But these days, those very names are on the tip of the tongues of fashion buyers and collectors in Paris, New York and even L.A. — where celebrities are donning their designs at Hollywood events. Footwear News, 24 June 2025
Verb
Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful? Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 June 2025 Bottom sea mines are placed on the seabed and designed to detonate when a ship passes nearby. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for design
Recent Examples of Synonyms for design
Noun
  • The Justice Department ended over 4,000 positions as part of a sweeping reorganization, including plans to cut 1,500 personnel from the FBI, according to budget documents reviewed by the Washington Examiner.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2025
  • The Justice Department budget summary also revealed plans to shutter the agency's Community Relations Service and eliminate all 56 of the office's positions.
    June 17, CBS News, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Several officers who either pleaded guilty or were convicted by a jury for their role in the corruption scheme had their felony convictions tossed out in favor of misdemeanors amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • While Google displays only the scheme and host name of the site the ad links to (for instance, https://www.microsoft.com), the ad appends parameters to the path to the right of that address.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Users can examine the prompts and the chats that made those examples possible and even modify them for their own purposes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
  • Walters noted that both direct and indirect loans to the general fund budget are drawn from special funds designated for specific purposes.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • If you’re all flowered out, try ocean motifs instead—think seashells, starfish, or your favorite aquatic animal.
    Catie Pusateri, Glamour, 17 June 2025
  • The silk suit with a jacquard motif of a siren, paying tribute to the Greek mythological Parthenope, proved the sartorial expertise of the brand.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The layout of this single-story house includes three bedrooms.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
  • Also, the new layout places the bus station farther south on the property and closer to some of the homes on Cleveland Street.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • No, Squid Game was not intended to be three seasons.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Striped Button-downs Nautical stripes have been making major waves this summer (no pun intended), especially in the form of a breezy button-down top.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • So, the National Weather Service has been working closely with FIFA’s safety and security chief to develop plans for all 11 U.S. cities preparing to host World Cup games next year.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • This area is fairly rugged, so be prepared for a hike and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The strategy has led to renovation of tennis grounds for several Masters 1000 events in Cincinnati, Madrid, Rome, Paris and Shanghai.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025
  • On TikTok, users say that the strategy can enhance mood, endurance, brain health, and more.
    Cathy Cassata, Health, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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