as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a fraudulent scheme contrived by a group of greedy and designing people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in planning
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 preparing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of designing
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Broadcom shares have surged as Wall Street positions the chipmaker as a play on Alphabet’s growing AI dominance, thanks to Broadcom’s role in co-designing Google’s custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) that power the new standout Gemini 3 artificial intelligence model.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
That means giving up or sharing power and privilege and doing the hard work of listening and co-designing solutions with the marginalized groups.
—Setche Kwamu-Nana, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2020
In the 1960s, the computing pioneer Grace Murray Hopper would hand out 11.8-inch lengths of wire to illustrate how designing smaller electronic parts would create faster computers.
—John Markoff, New York Times, 29 June 2018
Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Majestic Labs is designing an AI system for inference with 128 terabytes of memory, or about 100 times more memory than some current AI systems, Rabii said, adding that the company plans to eschew HBM memory for lower-cost options.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Other action points focused on reducing red tape in designing and buying ships and creating new skill-building and educational incentives for those interested in entering the shipbuilding workforce.
—Hope Hodge Seck, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
However, designing a suitable light-responsive electrode is difficult.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Duties with the role include designing courses, improving training programs and working with different departments to meet training needs.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.
—Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
What those coaches did do was identify quality offensive assistants capable of developing quarterbacks and designing effective offenses.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The request for additional money was made after underground utility and other site placement needs were identified while designing a new floor plan.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
That means brands funding cooling infrastructure, working with workers and unions to establish robust heat-stress protections and co-designing transition plans with workers from the outset.
—Verb
Craig had to have his key staff lined up by May 1, some 5,000 library books ordered by July 1, not to mention getting a faculty for 500 students, designing a curriculum, selecting and ordering texts, even down to designing application forms, catalogs, etc.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for designing
Adjective
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Varner described the creatures as diabolically cunning, destructive, and nocturnal.—
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The show followed Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a former British military officer who goes undercover to help take down Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), a cunning, amoral arms dealer helping to destabilize the Middle East.—
Verb
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While the first missions to space would not occur for several years, scientists began planning on how humans could reach orbit, fly to the Moon, and beyond.—
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Whether we’re headed to the gym, lounging at home, or planning your next trips, Lululemon is our go-to destination for a workout wardrobe that doubles as casual and travel wear.—
Verb
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The Packers are preparing for a wild-card game Saturday night in Chicago.—
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Listen to Glaser discuss preparing to host the 2026 Golden Globes on Ripa's podcast episode above.—
Adjective
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Ariana Grande made a cute face while taking a pic with Steven Spielberg.—
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Jump on the trend early with this cute, hands-free Michael Kors crossbody bag.—
Verb
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Mere weeks after an armed man came to our ER intending to shoot people, hospital leaders refused to negotiate improvements in workplace safety.—
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Prosecutors said the group members planned to target agents with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, intending to harm them with pipe bombs.—
Verb
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They’re designed with roomy interiors and tons of compartments that make organizing your packing essentials extremely easy.—
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Matembe says that opposition groups had been blocked from campaigning and organizing freely and that voters had even been barred from staying behind to monitor the count after casting their ballots.—
Adjective
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The slick material keeps chafing to a minimum during workouts, and the brushed inside is so soft against the skin and helps keep cold air out and your body heat in.—
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Between the melting ice under the court and heavy rain Thursday night in Chicago, condensation created a slick and dangerous playing surface.—
Verb
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Resist the Temptation to Dig In The hardest part of building a charcuterie board is avoiding the temptation to start snacking as soon as you’re done arranging the board.—
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As a newcomer to composing and arranging for strings, Simon benefitted greatly by working with a group readily available for consultation and collaboration.—
Cite this Entry
“Designing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designing. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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