by design

Idioms  

1. On purpose, deliberately, as in Whether by luck or by design, his application was accepted. This term, originally put as on design, uses design in the sense of “plan.” [First half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

"Clinical trials are the gold standard, but by design, they are slow," says Guntuku.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

“That was by design — to infuse the club and the community and grow that,” Reynolds said of he and his partner’s aims.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Academic experts say the system’s secrecy is by design.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

That uncertainty is by design, according to Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham University law professor.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

In any case, shortly after Ruess carved his mark into the sandstone, he departed Davis Gulch and mysteriously disappeared, apparently by design.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• consciously
• knowingly
• pointedly
• purposely
• studiously
• voluntarily
• willfully