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.
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Recent Examples of designing
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
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
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
Lewis Chester,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
That character logic is important to the production designer because Healy isn’t just designing to evoke an emotion in the viewer, but also in the actor playing the role.
—
Marya E. Gates,
IndieWire,
26 June 2026
By designing a custom chip, OpenAI can bring down the cost of serving its models to consumers.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
26 June 2026
There are a number of interactive activities to participate in throughout, including designing personal art glass windows and playing with Froebel blocks, which Wright credited with influencing his design perspective.
—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
26 June 2026
The organizations that recognize this are designing for portability now, before the switching costs become prohibitive.
—
Don Murray,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
This woman hired me two years ago to help guide her through the process of designing and building her dream retirement home.
—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
The giant automotive manufacturer’s job will be designing, engineering and mass-producing the autonomous vehicles.
—
New Atlas,
20 June 2026
Her focus on designing efficient production strategies and fostering new opportunities for the sector places her at the intersection of creative development and industrial infrastructure — precisely the combination the archipelago’s growing ambitions demand.
—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Adjective
Marvell’s business co-designing custom AI chips is usually what gets the most attention.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
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
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
Alongside Chase and her family stands film director Guy Ritchie; not as a badge‑on celebrity, but as a creative collaborator who has invested both capital and time in the project, designing the Wild Kitchen feasting tables and quietly weaving the whisky into his storytelling world.
—
Lewis Chester,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
That character logic is important to the production designer because Healy isn’t just designing to evoke an emotion in the viewer, but also in the actor playing the role.
—
Marya E. Gates,
IndieWire,
26 June 2026
By designing a custom chip, OpenAI can bring down the cost of serving its models to consumers.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
26 June 2026
There are a number of interactive activities to participate in throughout, including designing personal art glass windows and playing with Froebel blocks, which Wright credited with influencing his design perspective.
—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
26 June 2026
The organizations that recognize this are designing for portability now, before the switching costs become prohibitive.
—
Don Murray,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
This woman hired me two years ago to help guide her through the process of designing and building her dream retirement home.
—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
The giant automotive manufacturer’s job will be designing, engineering and mass-producing the autonomous vehicles.
—
New Atlas,
20 June 2026
Her focus on designing efficient production strategies and fostering new opportunities for the sector places her at the intersection of creative development and industrial infrastructure — precisely the combination the archipelago’s growing ambitions demand.
—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designing
Adjective
-
Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
-
Under this light, Penelope emerges as exemplary, cunning, wounded, and trapped by the male order that praises her.
Verb
-
Now, supporters are planning to speak out at an Alameda School Board meeting, hoping to reverse the decision or at least get answers.
-
Turkey is planning strict security measures for the summit, including banning demonstrations and restricting access to roads leading to airports, as well as sealing off areas around the summit venue and hotels hosting delegations.
Verb
-
On the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, Britain is preparing for its seventh prime minister in a decade.
-
Latvian intelligence is warning that Russia is preparing possible provocations against the Baltic states or Poland, including drones or any other hybrid attacks, in an effort to pressure NATO countries to stop supporting Ukraine.
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, a cute side slit and practical pocket on the shorts add style and functionality.
-
Join the droves of shoppers buying this cute henley top with a relaxed fit.
Verb
-
Joumaa, a Lebanese journalist, first met Khalil intending to do a story on her.
-
For those intending to bring a touch of softness and polish to a room, this mohair pillow brings a tactile quality.
Verb
-
Believe it or not, some people have made the mistake of throwing away old family photos for the sake of organizing only to wind up regretting it!
-
Players are responsible for organizing tables and groups; the Senior Center cannot arrange seating or table assignments.
Adjective
-
Tolbert also made a slick play to end the game.
-
Much like his longstanding working relationships with BlocBoy JB and Sexyy Red, Tay Keith also had a similar footing with Drake, providing the soundscape for some of the 6 God’s slickest sneak disses.
Verb
-
Groff, who worked for Epstein for nearly two decades, was a central point-person in arranging the bookings with Amex, documents released by the Justice Department earlier this year indicated.
-
The libraries that spent two years arguing that AI companies could not take their work without paying are now arranging to be paid for appearing inside the products built on top of them.
Cite this Entry
“Designing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designing. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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