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

Both venues will be reimagined as Elijah Craig destinations, featuring custom design elements drawn from the rich heritage and character of Kentucky's signature spirit, the release states. — Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026 The original design had it being built underground near the southern end of Sherman Park, just southeast of the White House. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

The class also requires students to design, analyze and render complex 2D and 3D graphics, modeling, texturing, lighting and animation across multiple styles of video games. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 While the rocket is designed for reusability, no recovery attempt of the first stage is expected for the first flight. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for design

Recent Examples of Synonyms for design

Noun

Alignment on a plan does not rescue a plan that does not compound customer value.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The Vikings will use him on special teams and as a game-plan-specific blitzer.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
While Simmons’ offensive scheme helped unlock FIU’s ground game last season, quarterbacks Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky combined for 13 interceptions.

— Alejandro Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

The vibrant floral motifs and creamy white hue ooze sophistication, while the dainty size is perfect for carrying your phone, keys, lipstick, and wallet.

— Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
Mosaic terrazzo floors with a palm motif are nods to both Tiberius’s villas here and the Ethiopian palm that once stood like an icon outside the hotel, which was felled by a storm in the 1960s.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of motif

Noun

The curriculum prepares students for future education and careers in creative industries, requiring them to analyze, design and render complex graphics, package design, typography, layouts, corporate brand identities and web interfaces.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Once the design of the new layout is complete, a spokesperson for the transportation department said, crews will begin taking out the current striping before laying out the new lane configurations.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of layout

Verb

Sebastian Kim, head of the content business Unit at CJ ENM, said the series had opened a door the company intends to keep pushing through.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
The city of Norman sought new funding from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office to continue A Better Way, a project intended as an alternative to panhandling.

— Jake Ramsey, Oklahoma Watch, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of intend

Verb

The e-commerce giant is preparing to launch its Prime Air service in Tracy as part of a broader expansion effort that will bring delivery drones to 500 cities and towns by the end of the year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Many of the dozens missing in its environs were foreign nationals, chiefly Indian or Indian-origin pilgrims who were returning from, or preparing to make, the journey further into Tibet to Mount Kailash, a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of prepare

Noun

DeepMind's Demis Hassabis has similarly described a future that plays to that strategy.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Joseph Marchese has joined creator network Bent Pixels as executive VP of creator strategy and business as the firm revs up its portfolio of support services offered to attention-economy clients.

— William Earl, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of strategy

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desideratum

design

designate

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Style

“Design.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/design. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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