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
CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
This is clearly not possible considering the importance of safety concerns associated with nuclear reactors, particularly new and novel designs.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Natural Stone Many designers are eager to weave more natural stone countertops into their 2026 designs.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Both packages would offer money to local governments to design pattern books, which would be housing designs pre-approved by the government to help speed up local construction.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
However, the belt section is also a treasure trove for designs made of shell, fabric, beads, or chain.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
In black, cutesy designs like hearts and flowers take on a moodier edge.
—Samantha Brash, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
Others still are releasing designs free online.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
That result highlights the platform’s strong compatibility with the technology and points to how easily the aerodynamic vectoring nozzle could be integrated into other high-speed UAV designs.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Arm's chip designs power most of the world's smartphones and are increasingly used in AI data centers and edge computing devices.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
At Fowlescombe, Chef Wentworth designs four-course, daily-changing menus that draw directly from the farm’s kitchen garden and heritage livestock — incorporating ingredients that are grown, reared and foraged on-site.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Ubiquiti that designs and sells long-range, wireless equipment.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 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
Noun
When Luckman arrived in Chicago, the Bears playbook had hundreds of designs from the T Formation, with hundreds of variations in the playbook and seemingly hundreds more in the imagination.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
This is clearly not possible considering the importance of safety concerns associated with nuclear reactors, particularly new and novel designs.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Natural Stone Many designers are eager to weave more natural stone countertops into their 2026 designs.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
Both packages would offer money to local governments to design pattern books, which would be housing designs pre-approved by the government to help speed up local construction.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
However, the belt section is also a treasure trove for designs made of shell, fabric, beads, or chain.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
In black, cutesy designs like hearts and flowers take on a moodier edge.
—Samantha Brash, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
Others still are releasing designs free online.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
That result highlights the platform’s strong compatibility with the technology and points to how easily the aerodynamic vectoring nozzle could be integrated into other high-speed UAV designs.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Founded in 2016, the company designs, develops and manufactures its collection in its home country, partnering with specialized Italian workshops for category-specific expertise.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Arm's chip designs power most of the world's smartphones and are increasingly used in AI data centers and edge computing devices.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
At Fowlescombe, Chef Wentworth designs four-course, daily-changing menus that draw directly from the farm’s kitchen garden and heritage livestock — incorporating ingredients that are grown, reared and foraged on-site.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Ubiquiti that designs and sells long-range, wireless equipment.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 27 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designs
Noun
-
Silberfeld’s optimism arose from the agency’s apparent backtracking from plans unveiled in a January court hearing to install up to 800 tiny homes on the property.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The concern in February is that others could knock you off your game; someone slick could kick out your confidence, someone disloyal could out your plans before time.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While countries like Greece and New Zealand have opened more ways for people to obtain a golden visa, others have closed their schemes.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Gary needs investment and development, but none of the three Bears schemes promise more than isolated cash machines.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Paired with stronger workforce-training and credential programs, such a system could help steer students into the pathways best suited to their abilities and goals.—
Neetu Arnold,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Canadians scored twice in a minute soon after, with goals by Laura Stacey and Sarah Fillier prompting the Czechs to pull starting goalie Julie Pejsova for Michaela Hesova.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Plus, all pieces are adorned with mid-century style motifs to give everything an extra boost of vintage flair.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Sequence analysis 5′ of the transcriptional site indicated a TATA-less promoter with possible cis-acting motifs that may regulate C3a receptor gene expression.—
Kirstin R.W. Matthews,
STAT,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some in the modern stable blocks have duplex layouts and private patios.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The passenger version supports flexible layouts.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He’s best known for breaking up that colossus, which is spurring speculation that PayPal’s board intends to sell off segments of the firm’s business.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Berryman plans to use her share to buy a house, and her brother intends to pay off his car, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many are in critical mineral companies as the White House plots a strategy to directly back mining companies to build a domestic supply chain and reduce dependence on China.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Last year, Malaysia signed a 10-year licensing deal with Arm Holdings, the British semiconductor firm, granting access to chip design blueprints and setting up the company’s first Southeast Asian office in Kuala Lumpur.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Initial plans for the development called for more than 600 units in 2024, but developers dramatically scaled back plans when submitting the blueprints in 2025.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designs. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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