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
With Rashee Rice suspended and Xavier Worthy dealing with injury issues, the Chiefs' offense has been forced to deploy a makeshift WR depth chart in their 3-3 start. Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Completely nude and covered in suds, Jeff makes a run for his secret hideaway in the store, clumsily vaulting himself over a toy rack and makeshift wall to do so. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025 Temporary runways tend to be sketchier to run and jump from, while makeshift throwing set-ups can feel unnatural. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 The nature center shared the groundbreaking, makeshift surgery to their official Instagram account and received an influx of online support, both heartwarming and hilarious. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 The four live as some sort of makeshift family. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025 Packed into a small, makeshift press conference room just yards away from fans filtering along the brick concourse of Notre Dame Stadium, head coach Spencer Danielson fielded questions about the Boise State offense and, in particular, his quarterback. Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025 The show's runaway success and growing anticipation for the second season, which releases in December 2025, means revelers will surely be met with a sea of blue jumpsuits, ghoulish face paint and makeshift Pipboys this Halloween season for the second year in a row. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 While Billy Napier spoke at a makeshift podium after losing to Miami 26-7, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin stood in the back of the room. Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
  • China’s sweeping new restrictions, some of which won’t take effect until November, could deal a huge blow to East Asian economies, such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which play critical roles in the global tech and artificial intelligence supply chain, as well as the auto industries.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • And among the primary challenges is learning new defensive principles.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 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
  • Beefing up alternative assets is a trend on Wall Street as fellow Club BlackRock has been working to do the same.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Based on current allocations and valuations alone, many investors should likely consider diversifying their portfolios by adding alternative assets and international stocks.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • House Republicans last month passed a seven-week stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, that included millions of additional dollars in security for members.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Johnson argues the House has already passed legislation to fund the government that would pay the military in the form of a stopgap funding bill, and that a stand-alone bill would take Democrats off the hook.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Staffing shortages at other air traffic control facilities may require alternate plans, such as transitioning workloads from one facility with fewer controllers, to another that is appropriately staffed.
    Fortune, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But even in an alternate universe, imagine getting one Stateside… at that price!
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His backup, Jacoby Brissett, did it last Sunday against a good Colts defense.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 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.
    NPR, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This capability could be invaluable for aerospace maintenance and other precision tasks.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Informed conclusion here — Whitworth and Fitzpatrick are going to dunk each other in a vat of Skyline Chili, then scream until the cameras cut out.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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