designate

verb

ˈde-zig-ˌnāt How to pronounce designate (audio)
Definition of designatenext
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

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 designate Atlanta shortstop Jim Jarvis had one hit following his recall from Triple-A Gwinnett, Veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez was designated for assignment. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 In December, DeSantis used an executive order to designate CAIR as a terrorist organization. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 The Arkansas Economic Development Commission said Thursday that the zones are economically distressed census tracts that are designated to encourage long-term private investment in local communities through federal tax incentives. — Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026 The material, which is delivered to the National Reactor Innovation Center’s Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments facility, is designated for the company’s 1-megawatt Kaleidos microreactor. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for designate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designate
  1. choose
  2. appoint
  3. name
  4. set
  5. nominate
  6. call
  7. select
  8. assign
Verb
  • The Kings chose to hold Emanuel Sharp, Adam Flagler and Jonathan Mogbo out of Monday’s game, but Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell returned to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s win over Golden State.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • The commission unanimously appointed Deputy City Manager Christopher Cooper as acting city manager.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Rosie Rios, chair of the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission appointed to the bipartisan group by President Joe Biden, noted she's served on the commission through several administrations.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of appoint
Verb
  • During Thursday evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting, officials unanimously, and with no additional discussion, approved Johnston’s exit agreement and named Assistant County Administrator Alan Howze as his replacement for the rest of the year.
    — Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Knoebels was named America’s best amusement and water park for 2026 in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which is based on reviews.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of name
Verb
  • The fall occurred just hours after Calleja set a personal best in the Gold Coast half-marathon, 7 News reported.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Ngo was conscious to include not only female designers (historically underrepresented in cutlery design), but also those who would use the brief to make a typical Western cutlery set more applicable to different cultures.
    — Jessica Salter, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of set
Verb
  • Eisenberg was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for best screenplay, and his screenplay won a BAFTA Award, the Waldo Salt Award at the Sundance Film Festival, an Independent Spirit Award, and numerous other prizes.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
  • It was nominated for 12 Oscars in 2013, and took home two, including best actor for Day-Lewis.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of nominate
Verb
  • The company, which calls itself the largest and fastest-growing Asian restaurant company in the world, also added chicken nuggets to its menu on Thursday, July 2.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Mauney, widely seen as the best rider of his generation and someone who braved the hardest bulls to ride, had to retire in 2023 after a neck break on a bull called Arctic Assassin.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of call
Verb
  • Soto was the sole player selected to represent the Mets at the 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic, which will take place July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
  • Peninsula Family Service has been selected by the California Department of Education to assume operations of the Creative Montessori Learning Center in East Palo Alto, effective this month.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Definition of select
Verb
  • The man — identified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson — fled on foot, pursued by Memphis police officers along with Tennessee National Guard soldiers who are assigned to the area.
    — Joel Rose, NPR, 5 July 2026
  • Around the same time, Sullivan, who was assigned male at birth, began questioning her gender identity.
    — Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Definition of assign

Browse Nearby Words

design
designate
designated
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Cite this Entry

“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on designate

Nglish: Translation of designate for Spanish Speakers

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