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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by design

Dahlia Lithwick: So much of the work you’ve done has been rooted in this idea that our legal structures, in some ways by design, have always failed and continue to fail women and vulnerable communities.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

There’s no hope in “Digger,” only a seductive, mischievous malevolence that, by design, feels empty as soon as the end credits roll.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that it is up to the platforms themselves to prove they are safe by design for young people.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

"For every person under 18, the platforms must follow the principal of safety by design, no toxic or addictive features, no traps, etc," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Though none of this was by design, it proved to be the best possible setting for those who had been imprisoned in Germany.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---