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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Recent Examples of designs
Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
This one has a brown animal print that stands out but doesn't distract from the other lighter designs.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 June 2026
Solid-state and lithium ceramic designs reduce total weight and increase safety parameters by replacing liquid electrolytes with stable solid materials.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
With sleek designs, easy-to-use functionality, and options for the whole family, iTouch Wearables blends fashion and technology at accessible prices, perfect for life on the go.
—ABC News, 20 June 2026
Here are some of the more compelling — and controversial — backstories from the kit designs on show in soccer’s biggest event, currently taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
—Steve Douglas, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Disinfecting these systems can reduce growth of Legionella, while new designs can reduce the spread of aerosols.
—Robert Promisloff, The Conversation, 19 June 2026
Those programs remain at an early stage, but CEPI is assessing whether any of these vaccine designs could be tested during the current outbreak.
—Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 14 June 2026
Those designs showed roadways through people’s homes, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods that have borne the cost of growth before.
—Nicholas Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
Laverne Cox spun one of Thierry Mugler’s rare archival designs back onto the carpet Saturday, attending the Lifelong Pride Gala at The Sanctuary in Seattle in the fall 2001 Spider dress.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 June 2026
The moody reds and vampy blacks that carried us through colder months can take a backseat—this time of year is all about fresh colors, glossy finishes, and designs that practically beg for a vacation photo dump.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 14 June 2026
Brown also designs outdoor gardens.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Broadcom lost 12% after the company, which designs and makes customized artificial intelligence chips for other technology names, reported weaker-than-expected earnings on Wednesday.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Being 5 feet tall in a world that designs everything from sun dresses to drivers’ seats for people with 32-inch inseams is not easy.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
That intelligence helps to inform the models that Brick Shop designs into kits.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Intuitive Machines designs spacecraft, delivers payloads to the lunar surface, and provides infrastructure services.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Noun
What really matters, especially on this sensitive coastline, is whether that balance is kept, not just how the designs look.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
This one has a brown animal print that stands out but doesn't distract from the other lighter designs.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 June 2026
Solid-state and lithium ceramic designs reduce total weight and increase safety parameters by replacing liquid electrolytes with stable solid materials.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
With sleek designs, easy-to-use functionality, and options for the whole family, iTouch Wearables blends fashion and technology at accessible prices, perfect for life on the go.
—ABC News, 20 June 2026
Here are some of the more compelling — and controversial — backstories from the kit designs on show in soccer’s biggest event, currently taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
—Steve Douglas, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Disinfecting these systems can reduce growth of Legionella, while new designs can reduce the spread of aerosols.
—Robert Promisloff, The Conversation, 19 June 2026
Those programs remain at an early stage, but CEPI is assessing whether any of these vaccine designs could be tested during the current outbreak.
—Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 14 June 2026
Those designs showed roadways through people’s homes, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods that have borne the cost of growth before.
—Nicholas Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Verb
Oversized kitchen islands can disrupt flow and functionality, making right-sized designs a better choice.
—Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
Laverne Cox spun one of Thierry Mugler’s rare archival designs back onto the carpet Saturday, attending the Lifelong Pride Gala at The Sanctuary in Seattle in the fall 2001 Spider dress.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 June 2026
The moody reds and vampy blacks that carried us through colder months can take a backseat—this time of year is all about fresh colors, glossy finishes, and designs that practically beg for a vacation photo dump.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 14 June 2026
Brown also designs outdoor gardens.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Broadcom lost 12% after the company, which designs and makes customized artificial intelligence chips for other technology names, reported weaker-than-expected earnings on Wednesday.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Being 5 feet tall in a world that designs everything from sun dresses to drivers’ seats for people with 32-inch inseams is not easy.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
That intelligence helps to inform the models that Brick Shop designs into kits.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Intuitive Machines designs spacecraft, delivers payloads to the lunar surface, and provides infrastructure services.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designs
Noun
-
Next year, these plans for retirees will increase on average by less than 1%.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
-
Each federal land management agency has its own regulations with criteria for managing off-road vehicle use — for instance, the BLM uses travel management plans to determine where vehicles are allowed on specific pieces of land.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
According to the police report, a woman also reportedly claimed to be a victim of one of Chen's check-cashing schemes, alleging that she was scammed out of $40,000 after Chen wrote her bad checks from a man's account, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Madigan, meanwhile, was convicted in a separate trial of an array of schemes that included the ComEd bribery payments.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
One hundred and twenty-six supporters lost their lives after police fired tear gas into the terraces following two late goals from Hearts of Oak in a game against Asante Kotoko.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Messi’s two goals came 20 years after his first World Cup goal in his debut on June 16, 2006, at age 18.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Growing up in the late ’90s and early aughts, butterfly motifs were everywhere.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
18 June 2026
-
This year’s design is a soft, baby blue gown — paying homage to the color of the island’s original 1895 flag— embroidered with subtle motifs, including yellow taxi cabs, the Brooklyn bridge and the Puerto Rico’s national flower, the flor de maga.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The two Red Sky Ranch courses are both outstanding, ultra-dramatic mountain layouts with enormous elevation charges, and both by marquee designers, Tom Fazio and Greg Norman.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
The data gathered during this preliminary investigation will decide whether the firms progress to detailed engineering layouts, formal applications with maritime and atomic regulatory bodies, or the establishment of joint corporate entities to oversee physical production.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The family of former 49ers defensive lineman Aldon Smith intends to have his brain studied by CTE experts, according to family statement released Tuesday.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
In March, a lawyer for Partey said the player intends to plead not guilty to two new charges of rape after a woman alleged Partey twice raped her on the same day in December 2020.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
An engineer plots a well’s falling output, fits a curve, and projects it forward.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
The same teenager who drafts op-eds to send to places like the Times plots his next battle attack.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The items and blueprints for the items can be found in shops, claw machines, the flower basket crafting mission, the box of fortune, and the orb roll challenge.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The team compared the vessel’s size, along with the position of its masts and cargo holds, against blueprints of the Hōfuku Maru, built in 1919.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designs. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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