The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

--n. 5 plan, scheme, conception, study, project, proposal,
undertaking, enterprise; blueprint, pattern, chart, diagram,
layout, map, drawing, draft, sketch, model, prototype: The
grand design for rebuilding the city was not approved. 6 form,
shape, configuration, pattern, style, motif, format, layout,
make-up, delineation, arrangement, organization, composition,
structure, construction: I don't much care for her new design
of my monogram. 7 aim, purpose, intention, objective, object,
goal, point, target, intent: My design had been to go at once
to London. 8 designs. plot, intrigue, stratagem, cabal,
conspiracy, conniving, manipulation, connivance, evil intent or
intentions: His designs against me have borne bitter fruit.
designate v. 1 indicate, specify, pinpoint, particularize, delineate,
point out, identify, state, set forth, write or put down, name:
You should designate your heirs in your will. 2 appoint,
nominate, name, identify, denominate, select, pick, choose,
elect, assign, appropriate, delegate, depute: She has not yet
designated her successor. 3 mean, stand for, symbolize, denote,
represent: The Greek letter pi designates the ratio of the
circumference of a circle to its diameter. 4 call, name, style,
term, label, christen, dub, nickname, entitle: Elvis was
publicly designated 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll'.
designer n. 1 creator, originator, architect, artificer, author,
deviser, inventor; (interior) decorator, artist; draughtsman:
Raymond Loewy was a designer of locomotives and fountain pens.
Lady Mendl was the best-known interior designer of the 1920s. 2
intriguer, schemer, conniver, plotter, conspirator: He is a
cunning designer who has wormed his way into favour with the
management.
designing adj. scheming, plotting, conniving, conspiring, intriguing,
calculating, wily, tricky, cunning, sly, underhand(ed), crafty,
artful, shrewd, Machiavellian, guileful, deceitful,
double-dealing, devious, treacherous, Colloq crooked: The
prince has fallen prey to designing courtiers.
desirable adj. 1 sought-after, wanted, coveted, longed-for, looked-for,
desired: Few things are more desirable than security in old
age. 2 attractive, pleasant, pleasing, agreeable, winning,
winsome, captivating, seductive, alluring, fetching: Their
daughter had grown up into a most desirable young lady. 3 good,