1
as in plans
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective
she always achieves her objective by design rather than by luck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in schemes
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends
the thief had devised an elaborate design to get the invaluable artwork
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in goals
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
my design in writing to you is to ask for your support
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric)
the curtains have a lovely floral design
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in layouts
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged
the design of the building's lobby encourages the free flow of traffic
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in intends
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 plots
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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of designs
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Smith's designs were selected for Oprah's Favorite Things in 2020 and have appeared in Essence, InStyle and Hamptons magazine.
—Vandana Pawa, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
It’s been said that Giorgio Armani changed the shape of fashion after his designs starred alongside Richard Gere in American Gigolo.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Deena is preoccupied by her romantic designs on Maddie and general horniness.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
For more Jet Set designs and similar styles, check out our favorite tote bags, handbags, and accessories in the designer outlet sale below before they’re gone.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
An international team of researchers at the UK’s MAST Upgrade facility has successfully tested an innovative exhaust system that can reduce the immense heat loads inside a fusion reactor by more than ten times compared to previous designs.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Isamaya, which has gained a following for its innovative line of makeup and skin care and tongue-in-cheek product designs.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
The responsibility of a designer was not lost on Ruzzin, who said that some projects took months if not years to complete, whereas his team finished some designs on their first attempt.
—Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
John Ruwitch, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Fallon designs programs, opens doors, and ensures the right mentors, operators, and capital show up at the right time.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
McClean’s designs optimize views and cultivate a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
The cruise line designs experiences with a small footprint, ensuring that travel supports the region without overwhelming cultural heritage and resources.
—Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025
By day, Bob Carbaugh designs hospitality spaces as a senior associate with Scott Edwards Architecture, based in Portland, Oregon.
—Kate Bernot, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
The company designs, installs and maintains rooftop solar panel systems.
—Forbes Asia Team, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Known for crafting immersive and emotionally tuned performance environments, the studio designs spaces that respond to sound and transform expectations.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Aug. 2025
The pouch designs separate the cells through layers and limit how many cells rest in one pack.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
From grasscloth and linen-look finishes to matte and mica fibrous effects, new wallpaper substrates soften formal designs and introduce a tactile, modern quality.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Smith's designs were selected for Oprah's Favorite Things in 2020 and have appeared in Essence, InStyle and Hamptons magazine.
—Vandana Pawa, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
It’s been said that Giorgio Armani changed the shape of fashion after his designs starred alongside Richard Gere in American Gigolo.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Deena is preoccupied by her romantic designs on Maddie and general horniness.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
For more Jet Set designs and similar styles, check out our favorite tote bags, handbags, and accessories in the designer outlet sale below before they’re gone.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
An international team of researchers at the UK’s MAST Upgrade facility has successfully tested an innovative exhaust system that can reduce the immense heat loads inside a fusion reactor by more than ten times compared to previous designs.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Isamaya, which has gained a following for its innovative line of makeup and skin care and tongue-in-cheek product designs.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
The responsibility of a designer was not lost on Ruzzin, who said that some projects took months if not years to complete, whereas his team finished some designs on their first attempt.
—Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The company designs and produces microchips that go into everything from self-driving cars to laptops.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Fallon designs programs, opens doors, and ensures the right mentors, operators, and capital show up at the right time.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
McClean’s designs optimize views and cultivate a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
The cruise line designs experiences with a small footprint, ensuring that travel supports the region without overwhelming cultural heritage and resources.
—Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025
By day, Bob Carbaugh designs hospitality spaces as a senior associate with Scott Edwards Architecture, based in Portland, Oregon.
—Kate Bernot, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
The company designs, installs and maintains rooftop solar panel systems.
—Forbes Asia Team, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Known for crafting immersive and emotionally tuned performance environments, the studio designs spaces that respond to sound and transform expectations.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Aug. 2025
The pouch designs separate the cells through layers and limit how many cells rest in one pack.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designs
Noun
-
The plans and the construction underway have come as welcome news to community leaders who have long been trying to preserve the history of Pan Am.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Google to challenge order Google criticized the ruling and plans to appeal.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The lack of action or will to curb this has led some researchers to seriously propose planetary-scale geoengineering schemes.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But his greedy schemes and her desire to keep her dog immortal led to the downfall of her once-thriving business and turned her into a woman on the run.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While employees may experiment with AI individually, the absence of structured guidance prevents cohesive adoption that aligns with organizational goals.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Her exit leaves questions about the city's path forward on pressing climate goals.—
Ray Padilla,
The Courier-Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Loloi x Magnolia Home Sinclair Collection Area Rug Perfect for tying the entire room together, this area rug has antique motifs, subtle distressing details, and neutral shades of taupe that go with all kinds of hues.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Adams’ works celebrated the color and movement through vibrant geometric styles; Shrigley brought forth wit and humor through banana motifs and Stewart leaned into a trippy take on optimism through Pop-Surrealist florals.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The building that houses it was constructed in the 1940s; quirky designs abound inside, as do low ceilings and claustrophobic layouts.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Coed fashion stories, substantial coverage of the contemporary art scene, surprising interview pairings and minimalist layouts are among the key features of Numéro New York, the American edition of the French magazine.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc intends to accelerate efforts to phase out all purchases of Russian fossil fuels and to crack down on Moscow's shadow oil shipping fleet.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Loktev’s film chronicles the Russian government’s systematic crackdown on journalists in late 2021 and early 2022 as Vladimir Putin plots his invasion of Ukraine.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Harper is a surfer who plays by her own rules and even plots to break up her mother from her current fiancé.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Under the president’s new blueprints for NASA, the agency looks set to depend on Elon Musk’s outfit to loft future Moon explorers aboard the SpaceX Starship from the Kennedy Space Center as SLS flights are aborted.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Standing with the people who’ve turned grief into organizing and created blueprints for what real protection and repair can look like is a reminder of what true justice demands.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Designs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designs. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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