design 1 of 2

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as in motif
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) the curtains have a lovely floral design

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in layout
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

design

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun design contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of design are plan, plot, project, and scheme. While all these words mean "a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end," design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

a design for a new dress

When can plan be used instead of design?

The words plan and design are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

plans for a house

When would plot be a good substitute for design?

The synonyms plot and design are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

the plot of the play

When is project a more appropriate choice than design?

The words project and design can be used in similar contexts, but project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

a project to develop the waterfront

Where would scheme be a reasonable alternative to design?

Although the words scheme and design have much in common, scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

a scheme to defraud the government

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of design
Noun
Their comfort-first design principle has resulted in wire-free bras that prioritize fit and ease. Molly Peck, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025 The new trompe l’oeil guilloché design presents a pattern that gives the illusion of infinite depth. Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
This adjustable nozzle will make gardening all the simpler thanks to its comfortable grip that’s designed to minimize stress on both your hands and wrists. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025 This year, the H20 chip has become increasingly coveted by artificial intelligence companies, because it is designed to support inference, a computational process used to support AI models like China's DeepSeek and other AI agents being developed by Meta and OpenAI. Bobby Allyn, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for design
Recent Examples of Synonyms for design
Noun
  • Following your treatment plan can help preserve your vision.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The plan focuses on economic development, infrastructure, arts and culture, entertainment, public safety and cleanliness — driving the work required to create a downtown that thrives for everyone.
    Shelonda Stokes, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Detectives arrested a man accused in a lottery ticket stealing scheme that netted him and a partner thousands of dollars in winnings, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • His chief adviser was also charged in state court with taking part in a separate bribery scheme.
    Jan Ransom, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • More than this perhaps, as Sara Halpern, visiting assistant professor of history at St. Olaf college, wrote to me, the attack had a broader purpose.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The purpose of the show was to reach across the aisle and form connections between un-like-minded people.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And with so many jungle motifs to play with, there’s lots to explore.
    Maggie Griswold, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Mirador de la Flor, which translates to Lookout of the Flower, features a motif of white roses and a life-size bronze statue of the singer leaning against a center pillar, looking over the Corpus Christi Bay.
    Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Some games won't be compatible, but that will likely be a short list dependent upon the original Joy-Cons' layout and features.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Everything from the choice of words on the page to the flow and layout and click-through to the visual design.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And, President Trump intends to scale back monies for state and local governments while pushing more costs on states and cities.
    Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
  • While the Senate spending cuts are set at just around $4 billion, the House intends to cut at least $1.5 trillion.
    Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On the other hand, having two more days to prepare might provide more time to rest and focus on the season’s first major.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The news broke as the Kings were preparing to play the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Through countless films, TV series, Amblin events, awards campaigns and our public relations strategy—this is where Marvin came alive.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The Eurofins partnership builds on the shopping platform’s strategy to ramp up product safety and compliance.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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