makeshift 1 of 3

makeshift

2 of 3

noun

as in substitute
a temporary replacement when his belt broke, he was forced to use string as a makeshift

Synonyms & Similar Words

make shift

3 of 3

phrase

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of makeshift
Adjective
Because many designs in the 1970s focused on open-concept designs, noise in the previous building could be distracting for classes, and teachers had made makeshift walls using bookshelves in an attempt to keep noise out, Bookhout said. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 Young, though, was only hit twice in the first quarter, which was a credit to the makeshift offensive line group. Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025 Coach Paul Maurice is mixing and matching and switching and swapping with his makeshift forward lines to find any combinations that might work. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, makeshift shelters have increased from 142 in December to 238 so far this year, IOM said. NPR, 17 Oct. 2025 From Lunelli’s view, Italian shops in other countries are makeshift Italian embassies of the Italian lifestyle. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025 Informal salvage businesses buy old batteries and melt the lead in makeshift furnaces, releasing waste that ends up in the air, soil, and water. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025 She was directed to stuff straw into a bag for a makeshift mattress. Susan H. Kamei, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025 Many of the makeshift shelters that people were in were destroyed in bombings. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, aging aircraft fleets and a wave of retirements have created an urgent demand for new technicians.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In this new study featuring more than 1,000 participants at 244 sites in 17 countries, patients received either enzalutamide plus leuprolide (the combination group), leuprolide (the leuprolide-alone group), or enzalutamide monotherapy (the monotherapy group).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mild and sweet, nutmeg is a natural substitute in custards, baked goods, and other types of desserts.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • But high-tech substitutes aren't ready.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sensitive sleepers who crave the feel of a firm down pillow can turn to this hypoallergenic down alternative fill.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Observe the actual landing cost, including any hidden costs and delays, and move 20–30 percent of manufacturing to alternative arrangements.
    Vitalii Savryha, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Democrats are using their only point of leverage in the minority — denying the GOP enough votes to advance the stopgap funding bill passed by the House — as a way to force a debate about expiring health care subsidies.
    Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The pair continued to express their belief that Volpe will seize the everyday role again once healthy, but the team will need at least a stopgap option to start next year.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • About a dozen seats are expected to be filled by alternate members at this plenum.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Tesseract, following a woman named Laila who embarks on a search through alternate realities for her missing child, boasts six episodes.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Veteran backup Marcus Mariota will get the start in Week 8.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The longer the shutdown lasts, the greater the risk of cargo backups at these Texas ports due to unpaid employees calling in sick.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This belies the question of whether those who are looking to deliver punishment are acting in good faith, a concern that became part of the appeals court decision in the El Salvador case and has subsequently been raised in other courtrooms as well.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Apart from the free transfer of Canadian striker David, Juventus’ other recruits joined late window.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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