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

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
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
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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
Both have suffered major mechanical and design problems, huge cost overruns and difficulty carrying out their primary missions, leading the Navy to decommission some of the ships years early. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 However extravagant and maximalist Sabrina Carpenter’s production was for her headlining set at Coachella Friday, that’s how minimal and barely-there Justin Bieber‘s staging and musical design were for his night-capping show on Saturday. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
Police have withheld the woman’s name, citing Marsy’s Law, which is designed to protect the rights and privacy of victims in Florida. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026 Instead, chatbots are designed to be self-validating and sycophantic in order to keep us engaged and coming back for more. —Tessa West, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026 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
  • Apple’s initial plans were to build a lighter version of the Vision Pro headset, but the company began prioritizing smart glasses around October last year, according to Gurman.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Right now, the plan is to cut all funding to the program, which could affect the availability of healthy food in some areas of San Francisco.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Gentry’s lean frame limits his play strength, and the role fit will vary wildly depending on the scheme, but going to tempt creative coaching staffs.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The players were not aware that they were being used as part of the scheme, officials said.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice.
    — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
  • But the purpose of her art shifted after the events of 9/11, as the fabric of American identity was tested, and some groups, such as Sikhs, particularly those wearing traditional turbans of the faith, faced cultural discrimination and misunderstanding.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • The entire timepiece—the oval case, the dial, and the bracelet—is decorated with the Clou de Paris motif, which has appeared on Cartier watches and jewelry for over a century, but not quite like this.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Apple Basket Many products in the collection also feature an apple motif, including a charming pillow and even a wooden salt cellar and doormat, but we’re most intrigued by the bamboo and rattan apple basket.
    — Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of motif
Noun
  • All 39 have different layouts, views, and furnishings, and some feature pieces from the historic Ritz Paris, bought at the renovation auction of 2016.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
  • This tiny house keeps things simple with a single-level layout that sleeps up to two people.
    — Adam Williams April 11, New Atlas, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of layout
Verb
  • While many leave college intending to return, few ultimately do.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The film was intended to release in March 2024, just nine months after its predecessor's debut, but was indefinitely delayed during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of intend
Verb
  • Despite intelligence that Saigon would be overrun by the North Vietnamese Army in a matter of days, the American Ambassador, Graham Martin, refused to prepare for an evacuation.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The only lockers with equipment left in them belonged to Alexandre Carrier and Noah Dobson, the team’s only two right-shot defencemen, two players who were clearly not boarding that flight the team’s equipment staff was preparing for.
    — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • Everything down to gear strategy had to account for the physical toll that seven marathons would inevitably have on her body.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The strategy spreads tourism spending across neighborhoods instead of concentrating it near match venues.
    — Amalia Roy, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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 18 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on design

Nglish: Translation of design for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hiatus

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 17

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
union jack speech bubble
The Great British Vocabulary Quiz Make sure you know the difference between a loo a...
See All