DESIGN Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

design 1 of 2

noun

Definition of design

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

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

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

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

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-ˈzīn

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

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

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

Vinegar Syndrome’s disc is chock-full of extra features detailing everything from the evolution of writer Eric Luke’s screenplay and Bottin’s designs to Dante’s approach to working with children and his clashes with the studio. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026 For students who want an unobtrusive health tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3 delivers essential wellness monitoring in an ultra-lightweight design. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

As a result, the team designed CosmoCube to hide behind the Moon. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 The website cookies that require our consent via pop-up notification are designed to track our buying habits so that private companies can sell us more stuff. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for design

Recent Examples of Synonyms for design

Noun

On Sunday, Kushner and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya also held talks in Egypt to discuss the plan, according to a source familiar with the matter.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
The ambitious redevelopment plan, approved in 2023, had a price tag of $660 million and called for more than 1,200 housing units, 70,000 square feet of commercial space and other amenities.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

The Steelers outgained Green Bay 385-160 and collected yardage in huge chunks at times on plays that had receivers running wide open against a vanilla defense more focused on fundamentals than elaborate schemes for a game that didn't count.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
In the scheme of climate change, the cost of my cough is relatively small.

— Justin Worland, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

But, rather than demolish the historic bridge, it was preserved and given a new purpose.

— Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
The purpose of the RIMPAC demonstration was to showcase a new artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) sonar processing system called SensorMAX.

— David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

The church’s nave is decorated in the incredibly intricate Manueline style – motifs that pay tribute to the sea trade that made Portugal rich.

— Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026
His designs were distinguished by adventurous use of color and unconventional materials, often incorporating motifs drawn from nature, animals and the fantastical.

— Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of motif

Noun

Standard rooms already feel generous by Vegas standards, and suites step up to apartment-like layouts, with separate living areas that make longer stays or work trips more comfortable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Saly Karavan The interior features a classic tiny house layout, with most of the available space being taken up by the ground floor.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of layout

Verb

It’s also intended to alert first responders and other healthcare providers that a woman has recently given birth and to check for postpartum complications, such as low blood pressure, bleeding, or infections.

— Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Immediately after the legislation was signed, states began bracing for the substantial pullback of federal support, rural hospital closures, and implementation of burdensome paperwork requirements intended to drive down enrollment.

— Diana DeGette, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

That has historically proven more than enough to prepare this team for the regular season.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Many residents’ anger is caused by misinformation about the virus and bans on traditional burials — when families prepare the bodies and people gather for a funeral, which can lead to further infections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of prepare

Browse Nearby Words

desideratum

design

designate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of design

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on design

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes