make do 1 of 2
phrase
as in cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs
She could make do just fine and didn't need anyone's help.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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-do
Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
The videos show more than a dozen people in a cramped, windowless room apparently wearing the clothes they were detained in and sleeping on make-do beds of aluminum blankets.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
The show has a punk rock, garage band, DIY, mix tape, basement, make-do sensibility, flowing from the band and album inspiring its title.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Some were make-do solutions installed by IT and not documented, and others were put there by employees tired of waiting for more storage.
—ArsTechnica, 26 May 2025
While teasing the reader with questions about the child’s paternity, Lamont’s story of a make-do family revels in the often comically porous borders of faith, home, and adulthood.
—The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Many of its most successful innovations on the battlefield are the result of having to make-do, or turning to unconventional means to accomplish a mission.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 24 Feb. 2023
Phrase
Despite its make-do simplicity, bulldog gravy is delicious when made with flavorful fat, such as from smoky bacon.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
The videos show more than a dozen people in a cramped, windowless room apparently wearing the clothes they were detained in and sleeping on make-do beds of aluminum blankets.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
The show has a punk rock, garage band, DIY, mix tape, basement, make-do sensibility, flowing from the band and album inspiring its title.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Some were make-do solutions installed by IT and not documented, and others were put there by employees tired of waiting for more storage.
—ArsTechnica, 26 May 2025
While teasing the reader with questions about the child’s paternity, Lamont’s story of a make-do family revels in the often comically porous borders of faith, home, and adulthood.
—The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Many of its most successful innovations on the battlefield are the result of having to make-do, or turning to unconventional means to accomplish a mission.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 24 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-do
Adjective
-
The Ransacker would construct makeshift alarms by placing objects on doorknobs.—
Ian Berry,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
-
People pay their respects to right-wing activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk at a makeshift memorial in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 20, 2025.—
John Toher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The boat combines electric and diesel power to offer energy efficiency and backup power generation for extended endurance, guaranteeing reliable performance in even the most demanding maritime environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Rashada is now about as highly touted of a backup skill player as there is in the FCS college landscape, and his motto has not changed.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On a whim, the 30-year-old applied for several school positions — from cafeteria worker to custodian — including one for a substitute bus driver, despite having zero experience behind the wheel of a bus.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The 30-year-old has gone from being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Wolves, making one substitute appearance in his two seasons at Molineux, to third-choice at Everton.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, disagreements on Capitol Hill have stalled lawmakers from agreeing on a stopgap bill to fund the government.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Hours after a stopgap government funding measure passed the House of Representatives, the Senate struck it down, raising the prospects of a shutdown in just over a week.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-do.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-do. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share