Shobdo Logo
MW→wag
Related Words
collusion conspiracy plot
contrivance device gambit maneuver ruse stratagem subterfuge trick
counterplan counterstrategy
means tactic technique way
procedure protocol
conception idea projet proposal specific(s) specification(s)
aim intent intention purpose
diagram formula layout map pattern platform policy recipe setup
  • a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends //the thief had devised an elaborate design to get the invaluable artwork
    Synonyms
    conspiracy intrigue machination plot scheme
    Related Words
    counterconspiracy counterplot
    frame-up
    manipulation subterfuge trickery
    artifice contrivance cover-up dodge draft maneuver stratagem trick
    cabal confederacy ring
    game gimmick racket
    ground plan program strategy system
    collusion complicity connivance conniving conspiration
  • something that one hopes or intends to accomplish //my design in writing to you is to ask for your support
    Synonyms
    aim ambition aspiration bourne (also bourn) dream end goal idea ideal intent intention mark meaning object objective plan point pretension purpose target thing
    Related Words
    grail holy grail
    plot project scheme
    desire hope mind wish
    nirvana
    destination terminus
    Synonymous Phrases
    name of the game
    Near Antonyms
    means method way
  • a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) //the curtains have a lovely floral design
    Synonyms
    figure motif motive pattern
    Related Words
    scheme
    device
    adornment caparison decoration embellishment frill garnish ornament trim
  • 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
    arrangement composition configuration constellation form format getup layout makeup ordonnance pattern
    Related Words
    motif theme
    • des​o​la​tion
    noun
    des·​o·​la·​tion
    ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən ˌde-zə-

    Definition

    • the action of desolating //… the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I. — D. F. Fleming
    • grief, sadness //… he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliot
      loneliness
    • devastation, ruin //a scene of utter desolation
    • barren wasteland //looked out across the desolation
    Synonyms & Antonyms
    Synonyms
    blue devils blues dejection depression despond despondence despondency disconsolateness dispiritedness doldrums dolefulness downheartedness dreariness dumps forlornness gloom gloominess glumness heartsickness joylessness melancholy miserableness mopes mournfulness oppression sadness sorrowfulness unhappiness
    Antonyms
    bliss blissfulness ecstasy elatedness elation euphoria exhilaration exuberance exultation felicity gladness gladsomeness happiness heaven intoxication joy joyfulness joyousness jubilation rapture rapturousness
    Examples
    • //She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
    • //photos that show the desolation of war
    First Known Use
    14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
    History and Etymology
    Middle English desolacion, desolacioun "state of distress or hardship, feeling of distress, affliction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French desolacion, borrowed from Late Latin dēsōlātiōn-, dēsōlātiō "abandonment, solitude," from Latin dēsōlāre "to leave all alone, forsake, empty of inhabitants" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desolate entry 1
    desolation
    noun

    Synonyms & Antonyms

    des​o​la​tion
    noun
    des·​o·​la·​tion
    ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən ˌde-zə-

    Definition

    • the action of desolating //… the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I. — D. F. Fleming
    • grief, sadness //… he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliot
      loneliness
    • devastation, ruin //a scene of utter desolation
    • barren wasteland //looked out across the desolation
    Synonyms & Antonyms
    Synonyms
    blue devils blues dejection depression despond despondence despondency disconsolateness dispiritedness doldrums dolefulness downheartedness dreariness dumps forlornness gloom gloominess glumness heartsickness joylessness melancholy miserableness mopes mournfulness oppression sadness sorrowfulness unhappiness
    Antonyms
    bliss blissfulness ecstasy elatedness elation euphoria exhilaration exuberance exultation felicity gladness gladsomeness happiness heaven intoxication joy joyfulness joyousness jubilation rapture rapturousness
    Examples
    • //She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
    • //photos that show the desolation of war
    First Known Use
    14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
    History and Etymology
    Middle English desolacion, desolacioun "state of distress or hardship, feeling of distress, affliction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French desolacion, borrowed from Late Latin dēsōlātiōn-, dēsōlātiō "abandonment, solitude," from Latin dēsōlāre "to leave all alone, forsake, empty of inhabitants" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desolate entry 1
    desolation
    noun

    Synonyms & Antonyms

    des​o​la​tion
    noun
    des·​o·​la·​tion
    ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən ˌde-zə-

    Definition

    • the action of desolating //… the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I. — D. F. Fleming
    • grief, sadness //… he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliot
      loneliness
    • devastation, ruin //a scene of utter desolation
    • barren wasteland //looked out across the desolation
    Synonyms & Antonyms
    Synonyms
    blue devils blues dejection depression despond despondence despondency disconsolateness dispiritedness doldrums dolefulness downheartedness dreariness dumps forlornness gloom gloominess glumness heartsickness joylessness melancholy miserableness mopes mournfulness oppression sadness sorrowfulness unhappiness
    Antonyms
    bliss blissfulness ecstasy elatedness elation euphoria exhilaration exuberance exultation felicity gladness gladsomeness happiness heaven intoxication joy joyfulness joyousness jubilation rapture rapturousness
    Examples
    • //She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
    • //photos that show the desolation of war
    First Known Use
    14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
    History and Etymology
    Middle English desolacion, desolacioun "state of distress or hardship, feeling of distress, affliction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French desolacion, borrowed from Late Latin dēsōlātiōn-, dēsōlātiō "abandonment, solitude," from Latin dēsōlāre "to leave all alone, forsake, empty of inhabitants" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desolate entry 1
    desolation
    noun

    Synonyms & Antonyms

    des​o​la​tion
    noun
    des·​o·​la·​tion
    ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən ˌde-zə-

    Definition

    • the action of desolating //… the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I. — D. F. Fleming
    • grief, sadness //… he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliot
      loneliness
    • devastation, ruin //a scene of utter desolation
    • barren wasteland //looked out across the desolation
    Synonyms & Antonyms
    Synonyms
    blue devils blues dejection depression despond despondence despondency disconsolateness dispiritedness doldrums dolefulness downheartedness dreariness dumps forlornness gloom gloominess glumness heartsickness joylessness melancholy miserableness mopes mournfulness oppression sadness sorrowfulness unhappiness
    Antonyms
    bliss blissfulness ecstasy elatedness elation euphoria exhilaration exuberance exultation felicity gladness gladsomeness happiness heaven intoxication joy joyfulness joyousness jubilation rapture rapturousness
    Examples
    • //She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
    • //photos that show the desolation of war
    First Known Use
    14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
    History and Etymology
    Middle English desolacion, desolacioun "state of distress or hardship, feeling of distress, affliction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French desolacion, borrowed from Late Latin dēsōlātiōn-, dēsōlātiō "abandonment, solitude," from Latin dēsōlāre "to leave all alone, forsake, empty of inhabitants" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desolate entry 1
    desolation
    noun

    Synonyms & Antonyms

    des​o​la​tion
    noun
    des·​o·​la·​tion
    ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən ˌde-zə-

    Definition

    • the action of desolating //… the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I. — D. F. Fleming
    • grief, sadness //… he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliot
      loneliness
    • devastation, ruin //a scene of utter desolation
    • barren wasteland //looked out across the desolation
    Synonyms & Antonyms
    Synonyms
    blue devils blues dejection depression despond despondence despondency disconsolateness dispiritedness doldrums dolefulness downheartedness dreariness dumps forlornness gloom gloominess glumness heartsickness joylessness melancholy miserableness mopes mournfulness oppression sadness sorrowfulness unhappiness
    Antonyms
    bliss blissfulness ecstasy elatedness elation euphoria exhilaration exuberance exultation felicity gladness gladsomeness happiness heaven intoxication joy joyfulness joyousness jubilation rapture rapturousness
    Examples
    • //She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
    • //photos that show the desolation of war
    First Known Use
    14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
    History and Etymology
    Middle English desolacion, desolacioun "state of distress or hardship, feeling of distress, affliction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French desolacion, borrowed from Late Latin dēsōlātiōn-, dēsōlātiō "abandonment, solitude," from Latin dēsōlāre "to leave all alone, forsake, empty of inhabitants" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desolate entry 1
    desolation
    noun

    Synonyms & Antonyms

    des​o​la​tion
    noun
    des·​o·​la·​tion
    ˌde-sə-ˈlā-shən ˌde-zə-

    Definition

    • the action of desolating //… the pitiful desolation and slaughter of World War I. — D. F. Fleming
    • grief, sadness //… he put his trembling hands to his head, and gave a wild ringing scream, the cry of desolation. — George Eliot
      loneliness
    • devastation, ruin //a scene of utter desolation
    • barren wasteland //looked out across the desolation
    Synonyms & Antonyms
    Synonyms
    blue devils blues dejection depression despond despondence despondency disconsolateness dispiritedness doldrums dolefulness downheartedness dreariness dumps forlornness gloom gloominess glumness heartsickness joylessness melancholy miserableness mopes mournfulness oppression sadness sorrowfulness unhappiness
    Antonyms
    bliss blissfulness ecstasy elatedness elation euphoria exhilaration exuberance exultation felicity gladness gladsomeness happiness heaven intoxication joy joyfulness joyousness jubilation rapture rapturousness
    Examples
    • //She sank into a state of desolation and despair.
    • //photos that show the desolation of war
    First Known Use
    14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
    History and Etymology
    Middle English desolacion, desolacioun "state of distress or hardship, feeling of distress, affliction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French desolacion, borrowed from Late Latin dēsōlātiōn-, dēsōlātiō "abandonment, solitude," from Latin dēsōlāre "to leave all alone, forsake, empty of inhabitants" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at desolate entry 1
    desolation
    noun

    Synonyms & Antonyms

    wag — MW · Shobdo