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
Relevance
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
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
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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
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of design
Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Stephen Carter has made a name for himself in Hollywood by defining the look of wealth in 21st-century America with his production designs for such iconic fare as Succession.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Collaborating on designing Dearfoams slippers is just one of the many ways that the sisters have carved out space to work with each other.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for design
Noun
The pointelle design on this sweater allows any shirt worn underneath to peak through, and the lightweight design is great for crisp fall days that require a breathable layer.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Stephen Carter has made a name for himself in Hollywood by defining the look of wealth in 21st-century America with his production designs for such iconic fare as Succession.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
This bohemian coastal destination was designed by Abbot Kinney in 1905 as an homage to its Italian namesake (hence the city’s historic canal district).
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Collaborating on designing Dearfoams slippers is just one of the many ways that the sisters have carved out space to work with each other.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for design
Recent Examples of Synonyms for design
Noun
-
The municipal panel that oversees the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority endorsed the five-year rate plan in June.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Next summer, the plan is for a barge to bring over the drilling rig to start the first well.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His conviction stemmed from a series of criminal schemes, including submitting false campaign finance documents, misusing donor identities to route funds for personal and campaign use, and providing fraudulent information to the New York State Department of Labor and the House of Representatives.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Doors and Window Frames in a Deep Shade The final component of Berkus’ three-color scheme is the deeper tone, often a darker shade of the wall color, used for doors or window frames.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Sea lines of communication, or SLOCs, are the principal maritime routes between ports used for trade, military or other purposes.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Worn as a layer over her shoulders, Williams coordinated the coat with her midi dress, which featured the same macramé floral motif in a column silhouette.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Swifties wearing friendship bracelets or Lambs reviving Mariah [Carey]’s ’90s butterfly motifs aren’t waiting for approval from [magazines] anymore…they’re creating the trends in real time.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Although visually spectacular, her layout was impractical, with slower firing rates and complex handling.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Keep It Moving Game rooms thrive on dynamic, flexible layouts.—
Catherine Hong,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And the project is taking advantage of a loophole in Greenlandic law intended to ban oil drilling.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Smokeless tobacco is considered anything from snuff, snus, chewing tobacco, moist snuff and any other tobacco intended to be used or consumed by any means.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
You should also be prepared to replace worn hoses, especially for ranges that connect with flexible gas lines.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Enduring hunger alongside heavy, unbelievable sounds of explosions, some of the relatives sheltering in our house decided to prepare their bags and head south.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Supporting the Army’s next phase The M-SHORAD Increment 4 effort is a major part of the Army’s broader modernization strategy.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The county added jobs beginning in July 2023 and new strategies to improve efficiency, according to the statement.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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