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
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 designing
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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designing
Adjective
-
With wit and cunning, the protagonists navigate the ever-present systems of oppression that encircle them and their relationships.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
-
President Trump does not exhibit Bismarck’s cunning, inscrutability, or proclivity for complicated diplomacy.—
Charles C. W. Cooke,
National Review,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
For new investors in their early 20s or 30s who have never experienced a market correction or for someone planning on retiring soon, experiencing a market correction can be very unsettling.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Some companies are already planning to raise prices in response.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Special artist is also preparing to take on her first lead movie role as she was recently cast as gospel star Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who was one of the first to appeal to rock ‘n’ roll and R&B audiences, in Amazon MGM Studios’ Rosetta.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2025
-
As the case was preparing to go to trial, in May 2004, the parties settled.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Amazon is stocked with tons of cute coin purses that capture the kawaii aesthetic of Japanese street style.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2025
-
Pair this long-line padded sports bra crop tank with a pair of leggings for a cute athletic look.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union group started in 1874 intending to end the consumption of alcohol in the United States.—
Elaine Shirley,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Apr. 2025
-
China is also targeting the moon, intending to land astronauts there by 2030.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Many probationary employees in the Science Mission Directorate, expecting not to come back the following week, spent Valentine’s Day and the weekend organizing their work and sending it to others, unprompted.—
David W. Brown,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Energy Transfer, the operator of the Dakota Access Pipeline, accused Greenpeace USA and International of playing a central role in organizing the resistance to the pipeline at Standing Rock in 2016 and 2017.—
Simmone Shah,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The park, which was originally a homestead apple orchard, is named for its natural water slide where visitors can literally be swept downstream between slick rocks.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
27 June 2025
-
The unapologetic embracing of social platforms and creators has also resulted in a record $8 Million raised from donors to help continue the slick social messaging push to November’s General Mayoral election.—
Jason Davis,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
In the book, Stewart shares advice on topics such as growing produce and arranging flowers.—
Claire Murashima,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Before the repeal, Soto was arranging for free Spanish-language weddings in Little Havana and building up support for Dade County to retire its English-only policy.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Designing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designing. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share