1
as in choosing
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 appointing
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 naming
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 designating
One question that will probably come up in the process is how designating a national park might work alongside the California Coastal Act, a landmark state law that has shaped and defined the way the coast is developed and protected.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Rockies opened two spots on their 40-man roster by trading Chivilli and by designating outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
In June, the City Council passed legislation again sponsored by Manaa-Hoppenworth, designating the entire 48th Ward as an LAC, the first such designation of a whole ward in Chicago.
—Jack Markowski, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet European governments have rapidly pivoted from designating HTS leaders as terrorists to treating them as governing counterparts.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In April, the Pan American Health Organization’s committee on this topic will meet to determine whether the virus has been circulating in the same chain of transmission for 12 months, which is a key metric for designating the disease’s status.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Each association has their own process of designating tickets, but members may be able to purchase tickets from a section of tickets pre-determined for supports of their team.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Twins make waiver claim The Twins made a minor move on Wednesday, claiming utlityman Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Atlanta Braves and designating Mickey Gasper for assignment.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Rockies opened two spots on their 40-man roster by trading Chivilli and by designating outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
In June, the City Council passed legislation again sponsored by Manaa-Hoppenworth, designating the entire 48th Ward as an LAC, the first such designation of a whole ward in Chicago.
—Jack Markowski, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet European governments have rapidly pivoted from designating HTS leaders as terrorists to treating them as governing counterparts.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In April, the Pan American Health Organization’s committee on this topic will meet to determine whether the virus has been circulating in the same chain of transmission for 12 months, which is a key metric for designating the disease’s status.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Each association has their own process of designating tickets, but members may be able to purchase tickets from a section of tickets pre-determined for supports of their team.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Twins make waiver claim The Twins made a minor move on Wednesday, claiming utlityman Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Atlanta Braves and designating Mickey Gasper for assignment.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designating
Verb
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Despite defeat, and a nasty fall, Anne would return to England at the end of the Games, paying homage to her country and the spirit of the British team by choosing to wear their uniform, a light blue suit with white hat, during the trip.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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Soil and Water When choosing a place in your yard for skeleton flower plants, select loamy, well-drained, yet moist soil that is rich in organic matter—think forest floor, not a sunny vegetable garden.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Everton are in the final stages of appointing Forshaw’s successor.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Opposition parties have questioned Starmer’s wisdom in appointing Mandelson as ambassador despite his history of scandals.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The company appointed its first non-Danish CEO as well as naming a former CEO, Lars Rebien Sørensen, as chair of the board in what has been described as an unprecedented power grab.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
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There had been speculation that Disney might go the route of naming co-CEOs, a move that has started to become more popular with companies.—
Michelle Chapman,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bank initiated coverage on the biopharmaceutical company at a buy rating, setting a 12-month price target of $23.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
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Pickens fit right in with Dallas’ offense, setting career highs with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This year, the party has another chance to try something other than nominating a conventional liberal who loses and then gets to run an NGO.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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Some people thought not nominating Gwyneth Paltrow as an aging actress was a snub; Odessa A'zion deserved a nomination, as well.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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San Diego State knew other programs would come calling for its top players following a 9-4 season that represented one of the biggest turnarounds in college football.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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The posts accused the teen and three of his football teammates of calling Smith’s son, who is Black, racial slurs, shooting him with BB guns and forcing him to drink their urine during a sleepover at Vann’s house.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The timing of the election initially prompted concern from Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog, who expressed the opinion that selecting a candidate to fill the seat now would enable that individual to claim to be the incumbent, thereby giving them an edge in the election.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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When selecting art, don't get caught up in arbitrary rules.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Segmentation involves drawing precise boundaries, at the pixel level, around each element of an image and assigning it a label.—
Farren Fei Yuan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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Nevertheless, the market is currently assigning AMAT valuations akin to scarcity.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designating. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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