Synonyms of make ends meet

make ends meet

phrase

as in cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs

The couple's income was just enough to make ends meet each month.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cope
• do
• get on
• survive
• make out
• manage
• get along
• make do
• get by
• make shift
• fare
• shift
• afford
• carry on
• fend for oneself
• eke out
• last
• scrape (by or through)
• contrive
• scrape (out)
• scrounge
• squeeze
• swing
• wring
• wrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fail
• fall short
• collapse
• flounder
• decline
• slump
• peter (out)
• give up
• wane
• fizzle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of make ends meet

But in February, the firefighters, many of whom worked second jobs to make ends meet, unionized. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Katt Williams, who long ago sold flowers to help make ends meet, is tonight sending bouquets of appreciation to his comedic rivals. — Timothy Bella, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, 8 in 10 Gen Z and millennial workers report holding two jobs to make ends meet. — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Amir El-Shenawy tracks that effort alongside Kabonga’s more immediate struggle to make ends meet and support his family while Egypt grapples with economic crisis. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026