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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
Versace used various size studs to create scrollwork designs down the side of jeans. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 May 2025 Since existing neural networks already seemed capable of extracting patterns from data, the team chose not to focus on network design but instead to amass as much training data as possible. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Verb
The class is specifically designed to provide an opportunity to ask questions about Christianity and our Lutheran theology. Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025 After a checkout period, the satellite will begin an Earth-observing mission designed to last at least five years. Mike Wall, Space.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for design
Recent Examples of Synonyms for design
Noun
  • But Andrea Jenkins, who represents the area and supports the city's plan, said residents around the square want vehicle traffic.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • That includes knowing the scheme in the run game, being violent at the point of attack.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • The scheme was investigated by several federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, legal, or cryptocurrency advice.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Inside were human skeletal remains which officials believe were deposited for ritual purposes before the site was abandoned, according to the release.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The motif of changelings—of fairies taking a human child and leaving a nonhuman child in its place—comes up throughout the story.
    Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
  • There’s a motif about a horse that’s hard to make sense of other than the obvious: freedom lives everywhere else except in this woman’s life.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • The high-shine finish is both durable and reflective, bringing a bit of glow to this galley layout.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2025
  • Units range from one to four bedrooms with layouts spanning 700 square feet to 3,300 square feet.
    Emma Reynolds, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The move is expected to impact millions of borrowers who haven’t paid their loans for approximately nine months, and the Trump administration intends to garnish a portion of workers’ wages if their loans remain unpaid.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • That arrangement was always intended to be temporary, but for nearly two decades, the details of untangling such massive, important institutions have bedeviled three presidential administrations – including Trump’s first.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Several media outlets reported earlier this month that the Trump administration was preparing releasing the full audio.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • This is when everything used for the production is broken back down and prepared to be returned or stored.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • What happens next? Kennedy has stated that a follow-up report outlining a strategy and potential policy reforms for addressing childhood chronic illness will be released in mid-August 2025.
    Paul Dawson, The Conversation, 26 May 2025
  • Mosier works with the university on social media strategy, and recently decided to bring her superstar pug to the school's campus for a visit.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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