designing

The word “designing” means scheming or plotting, usually for selfish gain. In plain terms, as an adjective, sly or manipulative; otherwise, the process of creating designs.

Here is “designing” used in a sentence: “She warned her son about designing people who only wanted his money.”

Depending on how it is used, “designing” can be an adjective and a noun.

“Designing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Designing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: scheming or plotting, usually for selfish gain.

As an adjective, "designing" means scheming or crafty, as in "a designing rival," and it carries a negative sense. As the -ing form of the verb "design," it neutrally describes the act of creating a design, as in "she is designing a logo."

No. "Designing" is negative only when used as an adjective meaning scheming or manipulative, as in "a designing person." When it refers to the work of creating something, such as "designing a house," it is completely neutral.

Both can describe someone who plots for selfish gain, but "designing" suggests calculated scheming hidden behind a respectable surface, while "cunning" emphasizes cleverness and skill at deception. As an adjective, "designing" is also more old-fashioned and literary.

In its neutral sense, "designing" is usually followed by the thing being created, as in "designing websites," "designing clothes," or "designing a system." As a critical adjective it typically precedes a person, as in "a designing woman" or "a designing schemer."