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
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
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.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 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
Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
As a devoted admirer of the series, designing each piece felt like walking the paths of Prythian itself.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Cretton’s art department went as far as designing a mock poster with the title of Trevor Goes to Hollywood, but Marvel already was developing the Hollywood-centric Wonder Man, leading to a creative fusion between the two.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Students at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design have been designing parts of San Diego County for nearly 50 years.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Companies spend billions designing devices to capture our attention, Richardson notes, while nature can make no such effort.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026
Rather than manually designing interfaces and content for a watch, a desktop monitor, or smart glasses, Solara would use agents to create interfaces that make sense in the moment.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Marvell specializes in designing high-performance chips used in global data infrastructure, including cloud computing, AI, enterprise networking, 5G carrier networks and automotive systems.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Newman rebranded her business entirely around that mission and started designing scarves with chemo patients in mind.
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026
Adjective
Marvell’s business co-designing custom AI chips is usually what gets the most attention.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
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.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 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
Verb
To be clear, regardless of inspiration, this designer is not designing clothes for girls.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
As a devoted admirer of the series, designing each piece felt like walking the paths of Prythian itself.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Cretton’s art department went as far as designing a mock poster with the title of Trevor Goes to Hollywood, but Marvel already was developing the Hollywood-centric Wonder Man, leading to a creative fusion between the two.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Students at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design have been designing parts of San Diego County for nearly 50 years.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Companies spend billions designing devices to capture our attention, Richardson notes, while nature can make no such effort.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026
Rather than manually designing interfaces and content for a watch, a desktop monitor, or smart glasses, Solara would use agents to create interfaces that make sense in the moment.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026
Marvell specializes in designing high-performance chips used in global data infrastructure, including cloud computing, AI, enterprise networking, 5G carrier networks and automotive systems.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Newman rebranded her business entirely around that mission and started designing scarves with chemo patients in mind.
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for designing
Adjective
-
What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
-
Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In addition, the group is planning to bury a time capsule to be opened on America's 500th birthday in 2276.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
In May 2020, AMC struck a deal for an undisclosed amount of money, gaining control of both properties and planning an interconnected suite of shows under the Immortal Universe title.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The family had been preparing to celebrate his centennial on June 10.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
Auditability is not optional, especially for any company subject to SOX or preparing for an IPO.—
Mike Whitmire,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Keep scrolling to start the season strong with ’90s-but-better jelly mules, cute lightweight dresses, and a sling bag that’s about to become your water bottle’s new best friend.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
-
Bonus points for picking separates in the same color palette (red and white is a particularly cute, preppy combo, as shown above).—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
In May 2019, Said left for the United Kingdom, intending to return.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
The staff member is now intending to re-sell the tickets via FIFA’s official marketplace, which will mean FIFA takes a 30 per cent cut — 15 per cent from the buy side and sell side.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Maya Attoui, whose parents still live in Beirut, is organizing a metro Detroit fundraiser to support Lebanon and raise awareness about the conflict.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
In 2025, Lithuania took Belarus to the International Court of Justice, accusing the Lukashenko government of organizing large-scale migrant smuggling into Lithuania.—
Tatsiana Kulakevich,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Junior Brooke Neale applied a slick tag.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
-
But homes are personal spaces, and consumers will need more than a shiny robot and a slick app.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Ikebana flower arranging — Japan Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, has been practiced since the late 15th century and remains deeply embedded in Japanese culture today.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Ikebana flower arranging — Japan.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Designing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/designing. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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