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

\/\/ a design<\/em> for a new dress<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'plan' be used instead of 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words plan<\/em><\/a> and design<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plan<\/em> always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.<\/p>

\/\/ plans<\/em> for a house<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'plot' be a good substitute for 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ the plot<\/em> of the play<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'project' a more appropriate choice than 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words project<\/em><\/a> and design<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but project<\/em> often stresses imaginative scope and vision.<\/p>

\/\/ a project<\/em> to develop the waterfront<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'scheme' be a reasonable alternative to 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ a scheme<\/em> to defraud the government<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'design' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ a design<\/em> for a new dress<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'plan' be used instead of 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words plan<\/em><\/a> and design<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plan<\/em> always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.<\/p>

\/\/ plans<\/em> for a house<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'plot' be a good substitute for 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ the plot<\/em> of the play<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'project' a more appropriate choice than 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words project<\/em><\/a> and design<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but project<\/em> often stresses imaginative scope and vision.<\/p>

\/\/ a project<\/em> to develop the waterfront<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'scheme' be a reasonable alternative to 'design'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ a scheme<\/em> to defraud the government<\/p>" } } ] }

design 1 of 2

noun

Definition of designnext
1
as in plan
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 scheme
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 purpose
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 motif
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 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

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈzÄ«n How to pronounce design (audio)
1
as in to plan
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 to prepare
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

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

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
The materiality, in combination with the pragmatic storage solutions, recalls the logic of boat design, where every inch is studied and nothing is left to chance. —Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 22 Mar. 2026 Instead, the Dive-XL uses a modular, free-flooding design, with sensitive components sealed inside internal canisters. —David Szondy march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
But part of what made the collision so disastrous, experts say, may lie in how planes are designed. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Mar. 2026 Commuter helmets are specifically designed for people commuting by bike. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for design
Recent Examples of Synonyms for design
  1. plan
  2. scheme
  3. purpose
  4. motif
  5. layout
  6. intend
  7. prepare
  8. strategy
Noun
  • China's space agency has plans to land on the moon by 2030 near the south pole, where there are believed to be deposits of ice from comets.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Fink reaffirmed the firm’s plans to raise another $400 billion by 2030.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • The scheme involved thousands of dummy servers, according to the indictment.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Prosecutors have called the Feeding Our Future scheme the largest pandemic fraud case in the country.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • The litigation is now complicating the rollout of a Bureau of Prisons policy revision, issued in February, that would end all complimentary in-prison access to hormonal drugs and cosmetic surgeries for gender-affirmation purposes.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The left has a tremendous advantage in terms of political energy and purpose.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • In retrospect, taken collectively, much of McCarthy’s work as an actor, filmmaker and journalist hinges on the friendship motif — that primordial ache to belong, that yearning to be seen.
    — Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The iconic horsebit motif was carried through in backless loafers and foldover, pointed-toe pumps that possess a familiar sense of everyday wearability.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of motif
Noun
  • Lynch allegedly told the individual how to get into the house and provided detailed information about its appearance, layout and items inside the home.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • With its elegant styling, comfortable three-row layout and strong hybrid powertrain, the TX stands as a polished new flagship in Lexus’ SUV lineup.
    — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of layout
Verb
  • Bills intended to keep out the pills have cleared one chamber of the legislature in Arizona, Indiana and South Carolina this year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Cosby’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said in an email after the initial award earlier Monday that they are disappointed and fully intend to appeal the verdict.
    — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of intend
Verb
  • The Shah, who wished to prepare Reza for his future role, believed that he should be tutored by tough military figures and immersed in Iranian society.
    — Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Restaurants that prepare food in-house likely have more variation in calorie counts than, say, a protein bar.
    — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • That 8-2 aggregate defeat by Paris Saint-Germain should be a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment for those owners and executives who have spent the past few years congratulating themselves on a recruitment strategy that increasingly has the look of a social experiment.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Produced for under $10 million, the film is leaning into a grassroots release strategy built around schools, educators and families, including a Barnes & Noble partnership that put tickets in the hands of book buyers.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of strategy

Browse Nearby Words

desideratum
design
designate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of design for Spanish Speakers

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