makeshift 1 of 3

Definition of makeshiftnext

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word makeshift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of makeshift are expedient, resort, resource, shift, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

When is expedient a more appropriate choice than makeshift?

The words expedient and makeshift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

How are the words resource and resort related as synonyms of makeshift?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources
a last resort

Where would shift be a reasonable alternative to makeshift?

Although the words shift and makeshift have much in common, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When could stopgap be used to replace makeshift?

The words stopgap and makeshift can be used in similar contexts, but stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

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
The parking lot of a pharmacy turned into a makeshift shelter with tarps, hammocks and tents. ABC News, 27 June 2026 People turned the parking lot of a pharmacy into makeshift shelter by setting up tarps, hammocks and tents. Arkansas Online, 27 June 2026 Meanwhile, the Kremlin has been unable to defend against all of Ukraine’s drone attacks, forcing companies to spend more than $1 billion of their own money on makeshift protection. Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 June 2026 Overnight, thousands of people who lost their homes slept outdoors, sheltering in tents or sleeping on benches and makeshift beds after being displaced by the disaster. Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 June 2026 One is also used to construct a makeshift football by the young lead in this scrappy, pan-African adventure. Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Families have set up makeshift camps on sidewalks, plazas, sports courts and road medians, sleeping on mattresses, sheets, folding chairs and in improvised tents. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 Schools and sports stadiums have turned into makeshift shelters, hosting those who lost their homes. Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Others are living in makeshift camps. Tirana Hassan, Time, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
  • Mask ban for law enforcement officers, criminal records sealing and tenant protections are among a host of new measures taking effect.
    Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 30 June 2026
  • In the videos, women share their transformations in which their post-divorce selves are often fitter, with clearer skin and a new wardrobe.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Koulibaly misjudged a clearance and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to keep out substitute Marcus Pedersen’s rasping shot to give Norway the lead close to halftime.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Goldman Sachs recently highlighted this complexity by describing AI as both a complement and a substitute for labor depending upon the nature of the work involved.
    Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The executives who absorbed the Freakonomics ethos learned to separate correlation from causation and to entertain alternative explanations before settling on the most convenient one.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Demand for alternative currencies, including the Singapore dollar, South Korean won and South African rand, is also growing.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Pretoria has set aside a 750 million rand ($45 million) stopgap allocation to keep clinics open, protect HIV/AIDS treatment, and revive clinical research trials — less than 10% of what Washington used to inject into the system annually.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 June 2026
  • The bureau’s most recent projections, released Tuesday, show that the emergency measures taken this spring will only be a stopgap, unless extremely wet weather returns.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Ports, who played as their alternate Copa de la Diversión name, the Cheladas, also gave an option to give dad a shout-out on the jumbotron during a game where the Cheladas shut out the Visalia Rawhide, 8-0.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • Fish swim by alternate contractions of aerobic muscles that run the length of their bodies in a small red band just under their skin, while their large white anaerobic muscles are used only for brief bursts.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • While Schmid fills the role of a high-end backup, Florida still needs to acquire a starting-caliber goaltender prior to the start of the season with both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov departing.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
  • Crucial backup is handled by the Power Cube, which features independently prefabricated 2,500 kVA Power Transfer Units and diesel generators.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The majority framed sports as different from other school settings because of what is at stake every time a roster is made, a medal is awarded or a scholarship is offered.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Like so many other businesses and homes, cost has made coverage out of reach.
    Brian New, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on makeshift

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster