1
as in to choose
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
the designated time for the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to appoint
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
he has yet to designate his successor as head of the firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to name
to give a name to
he was designated "Air Jordan" by his fans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of designate
Outfielder Tirso Ornelas was designated for assignment to make room for Canning.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Krupa noted that getting sites designated could be quicker on the state level, but that those applications could then be turned into national ones over time.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Part of the hold-up with Chubb, who turns 30 before next season, may be how to designate his cut.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Ash Wednesday is designated by counting backward 40 days from Easter, minus the Sundays.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for designate
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Krupa noted that getting sites designated could be quicker on the state level, but that those applications could then be turned into national ones over time.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Part of the hold-up with Chubb, who turns 30 before next season, may be how to designate his cut.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Ash Wednesday is designated by counting backward 40 days from Easter, minus the Sundays.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for designate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designate
Verb
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Taxpayers are encouraged to file as soon as possible and choose direct deposit to receive refunds more quickly.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
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By testing seasonal changes, different numbers of occupants, and how people behave in offices, the researchers showed that the model can reliably identify more efficient and comfortable configurations, giving designers a much clearer basis for choosing the best energy-saving options.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Judges across the country who were appointed to the bench by presidents of both political parties have made findings on record about DHS not being forthcoming, truthful or credible, according to Honig.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, interim chief executives of PEN America, were appointed to permanently lead the literary group.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Patriots have named Zak Kuhr their new defensive coordinator, a source confirmed to the Herald.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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Chalke also appeared in a 2018 episode of the Roseanne spinoff The Conners, this time playing a woman named Andrea.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The recall prompted the European Union to set stricter limits on cereulide levels considered safe for consumption in baby products.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The storms that pummeled Southern California this week brought dramatic wind gusts, bursts of rain and lightning that set trees on fire, not to mention heavy snow.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most consequentially, Adams, in a bid to improve equity, permanently scrapped the high-stakes qualifying exam in favor of the current, somewhat free-for-all process in which pre-K teachers can nominate an unlimited number of their students, who are then entered into a (now larger) lottery.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
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Her name has been circulated alongside other prominent women leaders, including former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who was formally nominated by her country earlier this month.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For example, Blue Origin and Sierra Space are working together on an outpost called Orbital Reef, and a consortium including NanoRacks and Voyager Space are developing one named Starlab.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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The seven-time All-Star made his first seven shots with five 3-pointers amid raucous cheers from the extra-steep supporters’ section called The Wall behind one basket at this futuristic 18-month-old arena.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, despite Forrest Gump’s insight about the unknowns inside every box of chocolates, some 43% of Americans do consult the guide that comes with most boxes before selecting a treat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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That structure can support the kind of consistent protein intake experts recommend for maintaining muscle and energy during perimenopause and menopause, especially when meals are selected in the roughly 25- to 35-gram protein range.—
Rita Templeton,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then again, Newsom signed SB132, the law that allowed an inmate who was assigned male at birth and serving 25 years to life for violent offenses, Tremaine Carroll, to transfer to a women’s prison, in which Carroll is alleged to have raped two female inmates.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Slotkin said her farm in Michigan received a bomb threat, her brother was assigned a police detail due to threats and her parents were swatted in the middle of the night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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