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
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Recent Examples of designs
Fmg Studios, Footwear News, 10 May 2026
The pots feature a variety of motifs from floral designs to western desert cactus vibes.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
And though the yacht is in fine shape and is an imposing 325 feet long, its old-fashioned proportions and Onassis’s designs for a hospitality-first party palace don’t necessarily match the preferences of today’s ultra-rich.
—Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Their arrangements often highlight visible stem structures and softer, more organic designs.
—J.m. Banks
may 9, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
From classic, fairy-tale ball gowns to modern designs and sleek silhouettes, check out some of the most scene-stealing prom dresses seen on-screen.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Throughout the night, Taylor was outfitted in Calvin Klein Collection custom designs.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 3 May 2026
Upstairs, in the bubble gum-pink Powder Room, Shahniani keeps his drag costumes, made by his favorite dressmaker, Kelsey Swarthout, who uses upcycled Disney sheets in her designs.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The purpose of the recent meeting was to get public input on preliminary designs that include a drop from 122 to 100 campsites.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
Costume designs a mix original illustrations and innovation The costume department took a mixed approach to making what actors will wear, combining creativity with the original book illustrations.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Carly loves playing hostess, and designs interiors above all with socializing in mind—the conversation pit is one of her favorite midcentury tropes.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
There’s activity tracking for steps, heart rate, and calories, with the user interface featuring Mega Man designs on each feature.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Kenny designs high-impact learning experiences for clients, including Fortune 100 healthcare and biopharma organizations, higher education institutions, and emergency management agencies.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Even in the more modern setting, the dainty designs on the plastic tubes and metal tins convey the history of the product within.
—Gabriella Fine, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Lara Hermanson co-owns Farmscape, which designs, installs, and maintains crop and native plant gardens in California.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
The piece takes inspiration from Chinese fretwork patterns, Art Noveau designs and German sculptor Hugo Leven’s iconic pewter bat candelabras.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
Their designs integrate modesty as a core aesthetic principle rather than a constraint, resulting in garments that feel intentional and elegant.
—Fmg Studios, Footwear News, 10 May 2026
The pots feature a variety of motifs from floral designs to western desert cactus vibes.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
And though the yacht is in fine shape and is an imposing 325 feet long, its old-fashioned proportions and Onassis’s designs for a hospitality-first party palace don’t necessarily match the preferences of today’s ultra-rich.
—Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Their arrangements often highlight visible stem structures and softer, more organic designs.
—J.m. Banks
may 9, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
From classic, fairy-tale ball gowns to modern designs and sleek silhouettes, check out some of the most scene-stealing prom dresses seen on-screen.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Throughout the night, Taylor was outfitted in Calvin Klein Collection custom designs.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 3 May 2026
Upstairs, in the bubble gum-pink Powder Room, Shahniani keeps his drag costumes, made by his favorite dressmaker, Kelsey Swarthout, who uses upcycled Disney sheets in her designs.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The purpose of the recent meeting was to get public input on preliminary designs that include a drop from 122 to 100 campsites.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Verb
TikTok followers watched along as Jessica Kayll, who designs colorful silk robes, finished painting her dress in the days leading up to the gala.
—Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
Costume designs a mix original illustrations and innovation The costume department took a mixed approach to making what actors will wear, combining creativity with the original book illustrations.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Carly loves playing hostess, and designs interiors above all with socializing in mind—the conversation pit is one of her favorite midcentury tropes.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
There’s activity tracking for steps, heart rate, and calories, with the user interface featuring Mega Man designs on each feature.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Kenny designs high-impact learning experiences for clients, including Fortune 100 healthcare and biopharma organizations, higher education institutions, and emergency management agencies.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Even in the more modern setting, the dainty designs on the plastic tubes and metal tins convey the history of the product within.
—Gabriella Fine, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Lara Hermanson co-owns Farmscape, which designs, installs, and maintains crop and native plant gardens in California.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
The piece takes inspiration from Chinese fretwork patterns, Art Noveau designs and German sculptor Hugo Leven’s iconic pewter bat candelabras.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designs
Noun
-
Liverpool have revised plans to increase ticket prices following protests and lengthy discussions with the club’s supporters’ board.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Letter writer blames sister-in-law for brother’s non-Jewish funeral plans.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
With one year left and her throne on the line, Queen Mo — who is 39 — and her raven sidekick JoJo hatch increasingly desperate schemes.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Vrabel is truly an expert in NFL defensive schemes AND finding the way to a woman's heart.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Senior forward Jordyn Washington, who also scored Tuesday, has a team-best 17 goals.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Beachy is worried that basic research could take a back seat to short-term goals as defined by the White House.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson’s spring 2008 collection featured a bevy of the designer’s signature playful prints and motifs, from ruffles and pops of color to polka dots and vibrant tones.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
-
Glass vases with metallic finishes of unnatural blue, green and gold are drowned in palm leaf motifs, ready to be flowered.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Newer ships have improved insulation and smarter layouts, but the laws of physics still apply at sea.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
They are built through intelligent layouts, durable materials, adaptable living spaces and improvements that reflect how people actually live and envision their futures.—
Zakkiyyah Terrell White,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
In a court filing Tuesday, prosecutors said Fairley intends to plead guilty in the sports betting case and a separate case in which he and others are accused of scheming to obtain nonpublic information to bet on college basketball and Chinese Basketball Association games.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Overall, Barclays intends to return more than £15 billion of capital to shareholders between 2026 and 2028.—
Chloe Taylor,Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Pattinson also enters the franchise as the villain Scytale, who plots to end Paul's rule over the universe.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The result—white ink against a deep blue background—reminded him of architectural blueprints.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
The downloadable content includes two operator skins, weapon blueprints, charms and other cosmetic items, along with experience boosts.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designs. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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