as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a fraudulent scheme contrived by a group of greedy and designing people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in planning
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
early on she had designed to a top position in a major insurance company
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in preparing
to work out the details of (something) in advance
the foreman designed a better layout for the factory floor to improve efficiency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of designing
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Broadcom shares have surged as Wall Street positions the chipmaker as a play on Alphabet’s growing AI dominance, thanks to Broadcom’s role in co-designing Google’s custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) that power the new standout Gemini 3 artificial intelligence model.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
That means giving up or sharing power and privilege and doing the hard work of listening and co-designing solutions with the marginalized groups.
—Setche Kwamu-Nana, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2020
In the 1960s, the computing pioneer Grace Murray Hopper would hand out 11.8-inch lengths of wire to illustrate how designing smaller electronic parts would create faster computers.
—John Markoff, New York Times, 29 June 2018
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Which institutional intel has proved crucial for designing modern missions.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Consumer electronics researchers are designing self-healing polymers for flexible displays and scratch-prone protective surfaces.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
The Dwight Road site, which contains multiple parcels that could be used for the shelter, would cost approximately $12 million to $21 million, according to NJA Architecture, the firm designing the shelter.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Since founding his eponymous firm in 1995, architect David Sharff has been designing timeless residences that fit beautifully within their contexts.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The third is a willingness to hold contradiction, designing exhibitions that present multiple interpretations without instructing visitors on which one to adopt.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk, one of the biggest proponents of robotics, is designing his own AI with Tesla's Optimus.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Since so much work has already been completed, architects have been tasked with designing the best and least wasteful way of using the infrastructure that's already built.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
That means brands funding cooling infrastructure, working with workers and unions to establish robust heat-stress protections and co-designing transition plans with workers from the outset.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Broadcom shares have surged as Wall Street positions the chipmaker as a play on Alphabet’s growing AI dominance, thanks to Broadcom’s role in co-designing Google’s custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) that power the new standout Gemini 3 artificial intelligence model.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
That means giving up or sharing power and privilege and doing the hard work of listening and co-designing solutions with the marginalized groups.
—Setche Kwamu-Nana, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2020
In the 1960s, the computing pioneer Grace Murray Hopper would hand out 11.8-inch lengths of wire to illustrate how designing smaller electronic parts would create faster computers.
—John Markoff, New York Times, 29 June 2018
Verb
In designing the Grange, Davies had a rule that everything needed to be ordered and symmetrical.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Which institutional intel has proved crucial for designing modern missions.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Consumer electronics researchers are designing self-healing polymers for flexible displays and scratch-prone protective surfaces.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
The Dwight Road site, which contains multiple parcels that could be used for the shelter, would cost approximately $12 million to $21 million, according to NJA Architecture, the firm designing the shelter.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Since founding his eponymous firm in 1995, architect David Sharff has been designing timeless residences that fit beautifully within their contexts.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The third is a willingness to hold contradiction, designing exhibitions that present multiple interpretations without instructing visitors on which one to adopt.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk, one of the biggest proponents of robotics, is designing his own AI with Tesla's Optimus.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Since so much work has already been completed, architects have been tasked with designing the best and least wasteful way of using the infrastructure that's already built.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designing
Adjective
-
While people born in the year of the snake are seen as charismatic, intelligent, and artistic, they are also often considered cunning and mysterious.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
And Halston has a cunning plan.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Over the next few years, Connecticut Water is planning 26 projects around the state targeting PFAS filtration to meet the new EPA regulations by the 2029 deadline.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Be sure to check out our guide to checking the safety of eclipse glasses, along with our top 10 tips for planning your 2026 solar eclipse trip.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The organization relies on community support and is preparing for a Mother's Day fundraiser to continue the work.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Fine restaurants must wait for customers’ orders before preparing the food.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Real Arizonans know that Valentine's Day is so much more than an excuse for candy and cute notes.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
From workplace romances to relationships built from body horror events, these are the precious pairs encouraging everyone to choose love above all and make that cute hand heart gesture.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Athlete Spotlight Vladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian skeleton pilot, arrived at the Olympics intending to compete with a helmet that sparked lots of conversation.—
The Sports Desk,
NBC news,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And now the daughters and granddaughters of the Ladies Aid and League of Catholic Women’s groups are organizing food, shelter, and finances against stone-cold invaders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California has been organizing the Tết Festival for more than 40 years.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The singer completed the look with a bold snake choker necklace and a super slick bun.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
-
When skin starts feeling slick or congested, Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads help restore balance.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Emails show Epstein’s associates arranging meetings between him and Black from 2010 to 2017.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Recent articles in the news report Canada, Mexico, Central and South America arranging trading with countries who don't treat them as stepchildren.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designing. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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