DESIGNATE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

designate

verb

ˈde-zig-ˌnāt

Definition of designate

as in to choose

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

as in to appoint

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

as in to name

to give a name to he was designated "Air Jordan" by his fans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 designate That consultant, Don Sharaf, found that the group sought to exit the backcountry along a route the company had designated for use in high avalanche danger. — Tribune News Service, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 Hiking and boating are two excellent ways to spend your time here, but when the weather cools down, take advantage of trails designated for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026 Rocket landing sites are getting extra attention, with the president's policy designating agencies to identify federal lands available for development as independent launch vehicle reentry sites within the next 90 days. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026 At the moment, each town in the running has already been designated an Official Hallmark Christmas Town. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for designate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for designate

Verb

Rage cycling sessions, anxiety yoga and dozens of similar fitness initiatives have gained traction in recent years, inviting people to choose workout classes based on experiences and emotions.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Do not state that the charity the person has chosen is low on your list of priorities.

— Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

The White County Quorum Court voted unanimously Thursday night to appoint George Brown to serve the remainder of his wife's term as county judge, until the end of the year.

— Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
In 2023, at age 38, he had been appointed to a professorship in sociology of education at the University of Cambridge, becoming the youngest Black professor in the institution’s 800-year history.

— Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of appoint

Verb

As for Max Mara, the brand is part of the Max Mara Fashion Group that includes Sportmax, Weekend Max Mara, Max&Co, Pennyblack, iBlues, Marella, Emme and Marina Rinaldi, to name a few.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Define your part, name the deadline, and choose the version of participation that keeps creativity enjoyable and commitment realistic.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of name

Verb

Though Derrick Moore had never played or coached the sport, that didn’t stop him from starting a team so the students could have an extracurricular activity to call their own.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The supplement glutathione, given through an IV or an inhaler-like machine called a nebulizer, has not been proven to be safe or effective and could expose firefighters to illness if there is contamination while it's produced, experts say.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of call

Verb

But Mansoor Delane, who the Chiefs traded up to select, was limited for much of training camp with a shoulder injury and missed the first preseason game.

— Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Lamb, 27, who was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, was at training camp with the team in Oxnard, California, at the time of the burglary.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of select

Verb

Some artists who do Bowl shows with the LA Phil or its sister symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, run through something close to their normal set and require whoever is assigned to do the orchestrations to follow suit.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Care coordinators – health professionals who help patients navigate the medical system – are often assigned to people diagnosed with cancer or other serious health issues, but they’re rarely made available to postpartum mothers, Griffen said.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of assign

Browse Nearby Words

design

designate

designated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designate. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of designate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tilde

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes