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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of designate
The three women were part of who investigators designated the ‘Gilgo Four’— the first four bodies found in December 2010, wrapped in burlap within a quarter-mile of each other along Ocean Parkway.
—
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Just northeast of that Integrity crater, the crew suggested an unnamed crater be designated Carroll in honor of Reid Weisman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The bill would designate the CCC chair as the person responsible for personnel and administrative matters at the agency and makes explicit that the executive director is to report directly to the chairperson.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The bomb, officially designated the BLU-114/B, doesn’t destroy power infrastructure with explosives.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for designate
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Just northeast of that Integrity crater, the crew suggested an unnamed crater be designated Carroll in honor of Reid Weisman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The bill would designate the CCC chair as the person responsible for personnel and administrative matters at the agency and makes explicit that the executive director is to report directly to the chairperson.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The bomb, officially designated the BLU-114/B, doesn’t destroy power infrastructure with explosives.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for designate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designate
Verb
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Then came choosing the second pick, and so on.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Virgo August 23 – September 22 When your identity wrestles with the group’s expectations, choose depth.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In appointing Cardona, who also served as Connecticut’s education commissioner and as an administrator and teacher in Meriden’s public school system, Lamont is dedicating high-profile manpower to the effort.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
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Trump left the courtroom after conservative judges — some appointed by him — openly scoffed at the Department of Justice’s arguments.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He’s also been beloved by his organizations, was named the Rockets’ captain this year and has always been in good favor with Hockey Canada.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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William Chan said his dog, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu-Yorkshire Terrier mix named Rocky, got loose Sunday, running outside their Clifton home.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If stress flares, breathe deep and set a boundary around your availability, then return to the next action on your schedule.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The ordinance would also set a ban of the same length for applications regarding Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sites, facilities that capture energy from various sources and store them in batteries.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The nomination was the show’s sole BAFTA TV nod and slots McQueen into a unique piece of BAFTA history as one of the first Jamaican actresses and first Black Trans performer to be nominated for a BAFTA TV award.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
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Mumford returned the favor by accompanying Mulligan to the Oscars in 2021, where she was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Promising Young Woman.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The shooting prompted protests over police use of force, and calls for police to stop foot pursuits altogether until the department overhauls its chase policies.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Michael recommended a company called SwissChems.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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PCMag editors select and review products independently.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
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The film marks the director’s return to the Croisette, having been selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the competition.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The unit reportedly has about 50 cops assigned, who volunteer for the role.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Florida Department of Emergency Management, the state agency assigned to establish and run the facility, said the facility is run according to federal ICE standards.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designate. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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