make

verb

ˈmāk How to pronounce make (audio)
Definition of makenext
1
as in to produce
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials will you help me make the dough for the cookies?

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Relevance

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2
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort we finally made it!

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3
as in to create
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the cats made quite a disturbance when they knocked the Christmas tree over

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4
as in to fulfill
to carry through (as a process) to completion one person from each department will be asked to make a short presentation at the meeting

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5
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure made him do all the work while everyone else just lounged around

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6
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement I make that to be about six feet long

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7
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials make a model airplane

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8
as in to seem
to give the impression of being the family made merry despite their financial worries

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9
as in to head
to go on a specified course or in a certain direction the baby made straight for the toy lying on the rug

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10
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action the legislature failed to make any new laws last session

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11
as in to earn
to receive as return for effort I make considerably more money now than I did when I first started working here

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12
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of what do you make of the latest information?

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13
as in to shut
chiefly dialect to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening make the gate when ye leave

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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 make Sumptuously furnished with vintage and antique decor, the rooms make a statement through bold colors, custom kimono bathrobes, and handmade Hästens beds. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 The outlier remains the United States, where gun violence and rates of mass shootings are among the highest in the world, with little progress made on tighter laws in the face of strong lobbying and constitutional protections. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 There’s no shortage of interest, with clubs across Europe all keen to offer him a platform, and it’s expected a decision on his destination will be made after Sunday’s final friendly with Como. — James Pearce, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Braves shortstop Jim Jarvis made a diving stop on Benge's hard grounder up the middle, hopped up and made a throw to first that beat the runner. — CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make
  1. produce
  2. achieve
  3. create
  4. fulfill
  5. compel
  6. estimate
  7. build
  8. seem
Verb
  • Tombo Banda, managing director of CrossBoundary Energy, said Chinese factories are producing more vehicle s than the domestic market can absorb while exports face mounting barriers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Braves had only three hits, but produced enough offense for Pérez, who has not allowed a run since Francisco Linder of the Mets hit a two-run homer when the teams met in New York on July 27.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of produce
Verb
  • The American supermarket, with its endless array of products and innovations like the shopping cart and barcodes, has achieved an almost mythical status around the world.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • A bit geeky and has achieved great things in his career, but could probably walk down the street and not be recognised.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of achieve
Verb
  • For Taiwan, the challenge is not simply developing better counter-drone technology, but creating a system that can keep adapting as the threat changes.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
  • That opening scene will take you straight into the laugh floor, and guests will be placed into contraptions that Mike has created to harness both laughs and screams.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of create
Verb
  • Over the weekend, Tehran’s national security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr issued a list of demands for the US to fulfill before Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Bally’s intends to fulfill its obligations under the host agreement, according to sources, including the buildout of the gleaming 34-story hotel, which has already risen up to full height along the Chicago River at the future casino site.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • Ultimately, if the state steps in with loans, the district would be compelled to cede day-to-day management to an outside caretaker, reducing the district’s board and administration to bystanders.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • For her sophomore film, de Araújo remains compelled to tell unnerving stories that are ripped from real-life events.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of compel
Verb
  • The results of that study, published in 2016, identified 235 distinct bears using genetic testing and estimated the total bear population in western Connecticut was around 400 to 450 individuals.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Ventura County Sheriff's Office estimated that the total damage will cost car owners several thousand dollars.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Deep in the cornfields of northeast Iowa, a cacophony of voices loudly whispered to build a permanent baseball stadium.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The city of Chicago recently pursued a worthy effort to build affordable apartments on the West Side.
    — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • Male actors seem to be given more leeway than female stars to display bigger personalities without the public turning on them.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Digital media and the people who star in it have been cultural mainstays for teens’ entire lives, so creating social media, video or podcast content seems a natural, albeit nontraditional, career path.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of seem

Phrases Containing make

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majors (in)
make
make a comeback
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Cite this Entry

“Make.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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