design 1 of 2

noun

Definition of designnext
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

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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

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3
as in purpose
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish my design in writing to you is to ask for your support

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in motif
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) the curtains have a lovely floral design

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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

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design

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈzīn How to pronounce design (audio)
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

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
For those looking for a bit more support, this halter dress’s full-coverage design can easily accommodate a strapless bra. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 30 July 2025 Think of this stupendous creation as a Hellcat for buyers with actual taste, those rare few who appreciate design and luxury while simultaneously harboring an insatiable penchant for pure performance. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
Unlike its sibling at the Smithsonian, it was never designed for grandeur. —Laurie Gwen Shapiro, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025 These plans are designed for small to mid-sized homes. —David Brinkerhoff, USA Today, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for design
Recent Examples of Synonyms for design
  1. plan
  2. scheme
  3. purpose
  4. motif
  5. layout
  6. intend
  7. prepare
  8. strategy
Noun
  • Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey announced an effort to create his department's new strategic plan in April.
    — Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • As Syria grapples with sectarian clashes in the south and Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Saudi Arabia is pushing forward with plans to engage economically.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of plan
Noun
  • The scheme requires drivers to pay a fee—based on the time and duration of their visit and their vehicle type—to enter the lower part of Manhattan, from the southern end of Central Park to the city’s financial district.
    — Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients as part of the scheme, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million and used more than $15 million for his own benefit, according to prosecutors.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Legally, the Department of Defense can make military bases available to any federal, state or local law enforcement officials for law enforcement purposes, according to the National Immigration Law Center.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 July 2025
  • As Wolf says, cannabis hospitality’s future belongs to those who serve purpose, not novelty — building a new kind of travel rooted in mindfulness, connection and place.
    — Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • The Chinese jewelry brand was founded in 2009 and is popular among younger consumers for its distinctive designs, including ancient coin pendants and lotus motifs.
    — Victoria Yeo,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 July 2025
  • The upper half is embellished with 18-karat white gold sculpted into the image of a lotus flower, which is a recurring motif of the Imperiale.
    — Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of motif
Noun
  • Even though many European cities employ map layouts that are far more complex than many American street scenarios, Tesla says that with FSD Supervised, the Model 3 could move through inner-city streets with little human supervision.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • What’s especially unique about this tiny house is its varied layout options.
    — Rylee Johnston, People.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of layout
Verb
  • According to Renaissance Capital, cornerstone investors intend to purchase 20% of the shares in the offering.
    — Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • Tuesday’s hearing is intended to determine what lessons could be learned from the investigation, what changes are necessary to make the system better and what challenges lie ahead.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Definition of intend
Verb
  • Firefighters, aided by wind, prepare for fire to shift course Firefighters actively engaged in preparation efforts to limit the fire's chance of spreading to the lodge and store, with the fire inching closer to the store on the east side of the closed State Route 67.
    — Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
  • The event will help shooters prepare for the statewide Marksmanship Challenge.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 July 2025
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • Neither the city's Office of Public Health and Safety nor the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department agreed to requests for interviews about the situation on Leonard Street and the city's evolving strategy for managing homeless camps.
    — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
  • From advanced smart textiles to resilient sourcing strategies, the region’s manufacturers are pushing forward—despite an increasingly volatile landscape.
    — Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 25 July 2025
Definition of strategy

Browse Nearby Words

desideratum
design
designate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

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