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

See Examples For:

by design

Private equity is abstract by design; the role of these firms is hard to figure for anyone outside of the C-suite.

From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026

The head, by design, is part of the game on all plays and for all players and can’t be removed from risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

"It must ensure that proportionate age restrictions go hand-in-hand with robust safety measures so that digital environments both protect and empower children, by design and default," they wrote.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

I don't know whether that is by design or by just not having the players to dominate.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 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

Related Words

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