Synonyms of designs

designs 1 of 2

noun

plural of design

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

• plans
• blueprints
• strategies
• projects
• programs
• schemes
• systems
• arrangements
• proposals
• ideas
• games
• recipes
• master plans
• ways
• devices
• procedures
• techniques
• game plans
• road maps
• ground plans
• specifications
• plots
• intentions
• tactics
• purposes
• policies
• maneuvers
• protocols
• maps
• intents
• patterns
• conspiracies
• contrivances
• means
• layouts
• stratagems
• conceptions
• diagrams
• formulas
• tricks
• aims
• subterfuges
• platforms
• collusions
• setups
• counterstrategies
• gambits
• specifics
• ruses
• counterplans
• projets

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

• schemes
• plots
• conspiracies
• machinations
• intrigues
• strategies
• manipulations
• maneuvers
• trickeries
• subterfuges
• stratagems
• systems
• artifices
• programs
• counterplots
• counterconspiracies
• contrivances
• drafts
• ground plans
• confederacies
• dodges
• rings
• rackets
• games
• cabals
• frame-ups
• gimmicks
• cover-ups
• tricks
• collusions
• complicities
• conspirations
• connivances

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

• plans
• goals
• purposes
• ideas
• objects
• intentions
• aims
• objectives
• ambitions
• intents
• things
• dreams
• aspirations
• meanings
• ideals
• targets
• projects
• pretensions
• points
• bournes
• marks
• schemes
• ends
• hopes
• plots
• wishes
• desires
• minds
• holy grails
• destinations
• grails
• nirvanas
• termini

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• methods
• means
• ways

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

• motifs
• patterns
• figures
• ornaments
• decorations
• motives
• devices
• adornments
• schemes
• embellishments
• trims
• garnishes
• caparisons
• frills

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

• layouts
• formats
• compositions
• patterns
• motifs
• themes
• arrangements
• forms
• configurations
• constellations
• getups
• makeups
• ordonnances

designs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of design

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

• plans
• intends
• looks
• hopes
• means
• purposes
• wishes
• contemplates
• aims
• goes
• proposes
• tries
• purports
• aspires
• attempts
• calculates
• figures on
• allows
• plots
• dreams
• schemes
• meditates
• debates
• considers
• struggles
• effects
• strives
• endeavors
• mulls (over)
• accomplishes
• performs
• achieves
• executes
• ponders

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

• plans
• plots
• charts
• prepares
• projects
• shapes
• organizes
• arranges
• maps (out)
• budgets
• devises
• schemes (out)
• outlines
• calculates
• blueprints
• choreographs
• drafts
• frames
• lays out
• sketches
• strategizes (about)
• figures
• intrigues
• contemplates
• concerts
• intends
• machinates
• contrives
• has on
• aims
• conspires
• means
• gets up
• premeditates
• meditates
• puts up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of designs

Noun

Katy Rudd is set to direct with set and costume designs by Tony-winning Rob Howell (Matilda the Musical) and choreography from Ellen Kane. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

As a result, developers and builders are the ones who have to make sure their designs comply. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Deals worth a look include cooling cotton and down-feather designs starting at $22 from beloved brands like Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Eddie Bauer, and Ugg. — Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026

Those layers are intended to contain fission products and provide a robust fuel form for advanced reactor designs. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

This year’s sale is also ripe with small space-friendly gems like the Sanders Reversible sectional and Sven loveseat, both with handsome designs that can speak volumes in a living room of any size. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Her designs are on cellphone cases, Lancôme lipsticks and Louis Vuitton products. — Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Portuguese touches are incorporated here too; the blanket on the bed comes from Burel and is made using wool from Serra de Estrela sheep into colorful, contemporary designs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Samba has ties to the Brazilian Carnival tradition, so Anna picks out a floral fabric and designs a skirt with feather-style panels that will move around with the dancer. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Katie Becker, chief creative officer of Arc’teryx, said the brand designs products to perform for the long term. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026

Design There are different basketball set designs out there, with some built for the indoors and others for the outdoors. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

The specialist had to choose which region of the target to model, which tools to use, how hard to filter, and which thirty designs out of thousands to order. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Per Promise’s logline, the film follows a young woman who designs AI personalities for a mysterious tech company . — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Anduril Industries is an American defense technology company that designs, builds, and manufactures autonomous weapons, surveillance systems, and military software powered by artificial intelligence (AI). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Google Cloud designs its own AI chips, operates a global data center network, and sells models, databases, security software, and tools for building AI agents. — Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

The company designs and supplies nuclear fuel and other systems used across the global nuclear fleet. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026