design

1 a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective she always achieves her objective by design rather than by luck Synonyms of design arrangement, blueprint, plan, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, program, project, road map, scheme, strategy, systemWords Related to design collusion, conspiracy, plot; contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick; counterplan, counterstrategy; means, tactic, technique, way; procedure, protocol; conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s); aim, intent, intention, purpose; diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup

2 a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends the adventurer had devised an elaborate design to get the widow's fortune Synonyms of design conspiracy, plot, intrigue, machination, schemeWords Related to design counterconspiracy, counterplot; frame-up; manipulation, subterfuge, trickery; artifice, contrivance, cover-up, dodge, draft, maneuver, stratagem, trick; cabal, confederacy, ring; game, gimmick, racket; ground plan, program, strategy, system; collusion, complicity, connivance, conniving, conspiration

3 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the immigrant laborer had ambitious designs in mind for his daughter Synonyms of design aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), goal, dream, end, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thingWords Related to design grail, holy grail; plot, project, scheme; desire, hope, mind, wish; nirvana; destination, terminusNear Antonyms of design means, method, way

4 a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) the curtains have a lovely floral design Synonyms of design pattern, figure, motif, motiveWords Related to design scheme; device; adornment, caparison, decoration, embellishment, frill, garnish, ornament, trim

5 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 of design arrangement, configuration, constellation, composition, form, format, getup, layout, makeup, ordonnance, patternWords Related to design motif, theme

1 to have in mind as a purpose or goal early on she had designed to a top position in a major insurance company Synonyms of design aim, allow [chiefly Southern & Midland], aspire, calculate, contemplate, intend, go [chiefly Southern & Midland], look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purposeWords Related to design dream, hope, wish; consider, debate, mull (over), ponder; attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try; plot, scheme; accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

2 to work out the details of (something) in advance the foreman designed a better layout for the factory floor to improve efficiency Synonyms of design arrange, blueprint, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, plan, frame, lay out, map (out), organize, prepare, project, scheme (out), shape, strategize (about)Words Related to design conspire, contrive, devise, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up; concert, get up; draft, outline, sketch; aim, figure, have on, intend, mean; contemplate, meditate, premeditate