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
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Feb. 2026
Steve’s numerous bestsellers and iconic book cover designs include Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, Running With Scissors by Augustin Burroughs, and Barrel Fever by David Sedaris.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Trump’s designs on Greenland attack that very principle, even though Article 5 does not apply in internal disputes because it can only be triggered unanimously.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Instead of being rubber or plastic, this one is made from galvanized steel, powder-coated to look like copper, and comes in four designs.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
Plain versions start at $29,930, but designs further elevated with diamonds, mother-of-pearl, and other stones, start at $228,630, price tags that befit such heirloom quality.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2026
From polished, minimalist designs to roomy interiors and reliable wheels, Away bags make travel easier.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
He was invited to be a member of France’s Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and is known for his technical excellence and body-positive designs.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
The incoming generation of designs should be a step closer to the cars used between 2014 and 2021 — a spell in which Hamilton won six of his world titles.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Rottet also designs furniture pieces and presented upscale designs for Italian furniture maker Turri and Belgian firm Atelier Vierkant in 2025 in Milan.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026
While the team designs software to work on today’s hardware and that hardware has to be capable five years from now, the team has to figure out how today’s software can operate on yesterday’s hardware from five years ago.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Today's launch was Rocket Lab's first dedicated mission for Open Cosmos, a company that designs, builds and operates satellites and also offers data-sharing and data-analysis services.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Artist Eric Lennartson designs and makes the exhibit, starting with a steel frame.
—Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Diligent Robotics, founded in Austin in 2017, designs robots to work alongside hospital staff in health care settings.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
This matters because Chicago has always been a city that makes things — not just designs them but manufactures them with hands, with tools, with precision.
—Parin Moradiya, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Three years ago, Brown falsely accused Nantambu, who designs and sells jewelry, of stealing $3 million in jewelry from him, the documents say.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Unlike traditional high-bypass turbofan engines, open-fan designs feature exposed fan blades, allowing for larger diameters with lower aerodynamic drag.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Feb. 2026
Steve’s numerous bestsellers and iconic book cover designs include Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, Running With Scissors by Augustin Burroughs, and Barrel Fever by David Sedaris.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Trump’s designs on Greenland attack that very principle, even though Article 5 does not apply in internal disputes because it can only be triggered unanimously.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Instead of being rubber or plastic, this one is made from galvanized steel, powder-coated to look like copper, and comes in four designs.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
Plain versions start at $29,930, but designs further elevated with diamonds, mother-of-pearl, and other stones, start at $228,630, price tags that befit such heirloom quality.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2026
From polished, minimalist designs to roomy interiors and reliable wheels, Away bags make travel easier.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
He was invited to be a member of France’s Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and is known for his technical excellence and body-positive designs.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
The incoming generation of designs should be a step closer to the cars used between 2014 and 2021 — a spell in which Hamilton won six of his world titles.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
The ‘emotion’ pillar reflects a fundamental shift in how Harding+ designs and delivers retail.
—Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Rottet also designs furniture pieces and presented upscale designs for Italian furniture maker Turri and Belgian firm Atelier Vierkant in 2025 in Milan.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026
While the team designs software to work on today’s hardware and that hardware has to be capable five years from now, the team has to figure out how today’s software can operate on yesterday’s hardware from five years ago.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Today's launch was Rocket Lab's first dedicated mission for Open Cosmos, a company that designs, builds and operates satellites and also offers data-sharing and data-analysis services.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Artist Eric Lennartson designs and makes the exhibit, starting with a steel frame.
—Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Diligent Robotics, founded in Austin in 2017, designs robots to work alongside hospital staff in health care settings.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
This matters because Chicago has always been a city that makes things — not just designs them but manufactures them with hands, with tools, with precision.
—Parin Moradiya, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Three years ago, Brown falsely accused Nantambu, who designs and sells jewelry, of stealing $3 million in jewelry from him, the documents say.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designs
Noun
-
Mike James, general manager of SentryWorld and vice president of Sentry Insurance, and director of golf Danny Rainbow elaborated on the plans for the renovations — to be led Jay Blasi, who oversaw the massive overhaul of the course in 2013.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
However, the killing of two people by federal agents in recent weeks has refocused plans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Officials say the scammers' schemes range from the savvy to the sloppy -- and all are brazen.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In Minnesota, investigators and journalists have raised serious questions about fraud schemes tied to networks that disproportionately benefited non-citizens, while the families actually paying into the system were left footing the bill.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
China continues to expand nuclear energy to meet rising electricity demand and climate goals.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
United are still conceding too many goals — 34 in 23 games — which is more than any club in the top 12.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 6,000-square-foot estate draws heavily on Moroccan design motifs, with the celebrated interior designer Brittny Button bringing in touches like a 13th-century fireplace in the living room and Moroccan fountains along the exterior.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Gherardo Felloni delved into Roger Vivier’s archives with his Pièce Unique collection of one-off pieces for spring, bringing to life animal motifs explored by the house’s founder in colorful contemporary creations showcasing a plethora of precious craft techniques.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This includes upgrading existing facilities and incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques, production lines, tooling and plant layouts to meet urgent production demand.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Fisher says kids are also playing a role in shaping how homes are used, from flexible layouts to spaces that support multigenerational living.—
Terri Williams,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shi added that the company intends to gather more comprehensive customer feedback to further invest in the new product category.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The region intends to use a variety of strategies to meet the increasing water needs, including connecting to existing supplies and new construction.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For cyclists, the Coastal Bike Trail plots out a route to see the city and the harbor on two wheels.—
Carolyn Heller,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The teacher then plots revenge by secretly staging the most wildly inappropriate musical imaginable to sabotage the principal’s bid for academic glory.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The latest blueprints depict mega-campuses built in multiple phases over decades, while existing data centers must be retrofitted for modern AI.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The walls of the restaurant will be covered with Crafty’s police mug shots, wanted posters and blueprints for his wacky fryer inventions.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designs. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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