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

An internal skunkworks was set up in California with a brief to rethink the idea of a universal EV platform from the ground up, taking into account the advances made by EV startups and clean-sheet designs both in the US but especially China. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

In 1912, the pen cases were acquired by Louis Cartier as reference pieces for his jewelry designs. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

SpaceX and Tesla say keeping manufacturing and packaging together could allow faster improvements to chip designs and speed up the deployment of new computing hardware. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Honeywell Aerospace designs and manufactures the key components for planes to fly, navigate, and operate safely. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Additionally, thin or fragile skin can tear or simply not hold designs as well as younger, more elastic skin. — Rachel Brown Kirkland, AJC.com, 30 July 2026

Gaurav Gupta’s designs are often worn at the Grammys and Cannes Film Festival red carpets. — CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Based on the current designs, the brick church’s structure will be preserved, and the buildings will be attached with a lobby. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Scott’s first collection for Proenza Schouler builds on the brand’s signature designs while introducing her own creative direction. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 July 2026

Verb

Such a team designs for its own defaults and reads that slice as the market. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 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

The result is labs like Sonic Jeel, which focuses on sonic cultures; the Anthro-tech Atelier, which combines anthropology and design; and xLab, which designs typefaces and electronic displays built for Arabic scripts. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Graham is the unabashed matriarch of the flock, who every year chooses the destination, books the hut, plans the menu, does meal prep, and designs the commemorative T-shirts. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

Bryan Reisberg, who designs travel backpacks for dogs and shares stories of walking around New York carrying adoptable pets, will also be on the series. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Besides teaching, Janice Minabe offers costume workshops and designs her daughter’s competition wear, including the towering headdress, which is likened to balancing a small floral garden on top of the skull. — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

The Canadian company designs and produces products including HVAC controls, humidifiers and heaters. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026