• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

4 plural : aggressive or evil intent — used with on or against

5 : a preliminary sketch or plan

6 : an underlying scheme that governs functioning, developing, or unfolding : MOTIF

7 : the arrangement of elements or details in a product or a work of art

8 : a decorative pattern

9 : the art of executing designs

Synonyms

[1] arrangement, blueprint, game, plan, project, scheme, strategy, system—more at PLAN

[2] aim, ambition, aspiration, dream, end, goal, intent, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, pretension, purpose, thing—more at GOAL

[3] conspiracy, intrigue, machination, plot, scheme—more at PLOT

[7] arrangement, composition, configuration, form, format, layout, makeup, pattern—more at COMPOSITION

[8] figure, motif, motive, pattern—more at PATTERN

1designate adjective : chosen but not yet installed

2designate verb -nat·ed; -nat·ing 1 : to appoint and set apart for a special purpose

2 : to mark or point out : INDICATE; also : SPECIFY, STIPULATE

3 : to call by a name or title

Synonyms

[1] appoint, assign, attach, commission, constitute, detail, name—more at APPOINT

[3] baptize, call, christen, denominate, dub, entitle, label, name, style, term, title—more at NAME

designated driver noun : a person chosen to abstain from alcohol so as to transport others safely

designated hitter noun : a baseball player designated at the start of the game to bat in place of the pitcher without causing the pitcher to be removed from the game

des·ig·na·tion noun 1 : the act of indicating or identifying

2 : appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service

3 : a distinguishing name, sign, or title

Synonyms

[2] appointment, assignment, commission—more at APPOINTMENT

[3] appellation, cognomen, denotation, handle, name, title—more at NAME

de·sign·er noun : one that designs: as

a : one who creates plans for a project or structure

b : one who designs and manufactures a new product style or design; especially : one who designs and manufactures high-fashion clothing

— designer adjective

Synonyms

developer, innovator, inventor, originator—more at INVENTOR

designer drug noun : a synthetic version of an illicit drug that has been chemically altered to avoid its prohibition

de·sign·ing adjective : CRAFTY, SCHEMING

de·sir·able adjective 1 : PLEASING, ATTRACTIVE

2 : worth seeking or doing as advantageous, beneficial, or wise : ADVISABLE <~ legislation>

— de·sir·abil·i·ty noun

— de·sir·able·ness noun

Synonyms

advisable, expedient, judicious, politic, prudent, tactical, wise—more at EXPEDIENT

1desire verb de·sired; de·sir·ing [ORIGIN: ME, fr. AF desirer, fr. L desiderare, fr. sider-, sidus heavenly body]

1 : to long or hope for : exhibit or feel desire for

2 : REQUEST

Synonyms

ache, covet, crave, die, hanker, hunger, long, lust, pant, pine, repine, thirst, want, wish, yearn; also delight (in), enjoy, fancy, like, relish

2desire noun 1 : a strong wish : LONGING

2 : sexual urge or appetite

3 : a usu. formal request for action

4 : something desired

Synonyms

appetite, craving, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, longing, lust, passion, thirst, urge, yearning, yen; also compulsion, impulse, urge, will, zeal; liking, love, taste; eagerness, impatience; wish, want; necessity, need, requirement; avarice, cupidity, greed, rapacity

de·sir·ous adjective : impelled or governed by desire

de·sist verb : to cease to proceed, act, or continue

Synonyms

usually desist from break, break off, cease, cut, discontinue, drop, end, halt, knock off, layoff, leave off, quit, shut off, stop—more at STOP

desk noun [ORIGIN: ME deske, fr. ML desca, fr. OIt desco table, fr. L discus dish, disc]

1 : a table, frame, or case esp. for writing and reading

2 : a counter, stand, or booth at which a person performs duties

3 : a specialized division of an organization (as a newspaper)

Synonyms

bureau, department, division, office—more at DIVISION

desk·top publishing noun : the production of