1
as in choosing
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
the designated time for the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in appointing
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
he has yet to designate his successor as head of the firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in naming
to give a name to
he was designated "Air Jordan" by his fans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of designating
Many municipalities have ordinances designating quiet hours, usually from evening to morning.
—
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.
—Sammy Duda, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
The Dodgers will now have to choose between optioning Kim or Freeland, or designating Espinal for assignment.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 May 2026
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson, acting on a joint congressional resolution, signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The simplest move to maintain the three-catcher structure appears to be designating Haase for assignment.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
There isn’t much flexibility in terms of contracts either, which would mean designating veteran Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
And the Giants, in conjunction with Mays’ Say Hey Foundation, along with several other sponsoring parties, will be designating a portion of a local freeway as the Willie Mays Highway.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
One of the most consequential tools in that effort is designating a group a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
—Nik Popli, Time, 6 May 2026
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.
—Sammy Duda, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
The Dodgers will now have to choose between optioning Kim or Freeland, or designating Espinal for assignment.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 May 2026
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson, acting on a joint congressional resolution, signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
The simplest move to maintain the three-catcher structure appears to be designating Haase for assignment.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
There isn’t much flexibility in terms of contracts either, which would mean designating veteran Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
And the Giants, in conjunction with Mays’ Say Hey Foundation, along with several other sponsoring parties, will be designating a portion of a local freeway as the Willie Mays Highway.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
One of the most consequential tools in that effort is designating a group a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
—Nik Popli, Time, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designating
Verb
-
How to handle it safely For dogs that only graze occasionally, the main precaution should be choosing safe locations.—
Diana Bocco,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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By choosing investment banking, an industry almost entirely based in Manhattan, students were expressing a predilection for its unique lifestyle and consumption options.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Starmer’s authority weakened after Labor’s poor performance in recent elections, blamed on policy missteps, economic struggles, and the prime minister’s controversial decisions, including appointing an ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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The City Council is tasked with appointing someone to serve as interim mayor until the next municipal election in November 2027.—
Mary Ramsey
May 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The naming rights regulations even apply to the host stadiums.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
-
However, naming a species is not particularly complicated.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The narrowness of the land means that the resort is swaddled between two beaches—Playa Blanca and Playa Virador—setting it apart from other nearby hotels.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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The sight will become visible low in the south-western sky around 30 to 45 minutes after sunset, depending on location, and remain visible for roughly two hours before setting below the horizon.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Democrats, too, have emphasized concerns that nominating the wrong candidate could tank an otherwise winnable race, with particular focus on Bottoms' rocky tenure as governor, decision not to run for reelection and subsequent role with the unpopular Biden administration.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
18 May 2026
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Stewart’s future is timely because Connecticut Republicans will be nominating a candidate for governor at the state party’s convention at the Mohegan Sun casino on Saturday.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The Packers won their fourth Super Bowl, and Rodgers earned two of his four MVPs with McCarthy calling the plays.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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Cassidy, a medical doctor, has broken with the HHS secretary on multiple occasions, including slamming a change to the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for infants and calling for the postponement of key vaccine advisory panel meetings.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The label will also guide you in selecting the correct washing cycle, water temperature, and best drying choices.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
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District leaders make up the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s obscure but powerful governing body that largely controls selecting judges, party priorities, and spending.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The market doesn't think so, assigning him a 1% chance of getting rates down this year, according to CME FedWatch.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
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Starting the following year, in 2022, records show that Fortune offered Agan a role supporting new teachers rather than assigning him his own classroom.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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