as in new
taking the place of one that came before
turned a towel into a makeshift skirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
make shift
3 of 3phrase
as in cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs
They were able to make shift without borrowing money.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of makeshift
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
City authorities had started destroying the makeshift homes of people living on the streets and impounding their possessions.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Two men were killed in 2024 by other inmates wielding makeshift weapons, according to the Justice Department.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
With a makeshift lineup led by undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook during their final five games of the season, the Jets were outscored 188-54.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
By Friday morning, a small makeshift memorial of votive candles and roses had sprung up outside of a ground-level apartment neighbors said was associated with the man who was killed.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
So, a makeshift offensive line could look even more so against the Broncos.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 3 Jan. 2026
That’s a hole in the local brewing scene and Rancho’s adored Barrel District, to be sure, but likewise a bittersweet adieu to the makeshift music venue that owner and brewer Brian Palmer had curated there.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Using walkie-talkies, students clad in white space jumpsuits staffed the makeshift space shuttle — known as Endurance — in six-hour or eight-hour shifts, while others took part in mission control.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Another photo showed the pro-skateboarder lying on the ground with a makeshift pillow as men sat by and cared for him.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
City authorities had started destroying the makeshift homes of people living on the streets and impounding their possessions.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Two men were killed in 2024 by other inmates wielding makeshift weapons, according to the Justice Department.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
With a makeshift lineup led by undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook during their final five games of the season, the Jets were outscored 188-54.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
By Friday morning, a small makeshift memorial of votive candles and roses had sprung up outside of a ground-level apartment neighbors said was associated with the man who was killed.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
So, a makeshift offensive line could look even more so against the Broncos.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 3 Jan. 2026
That’s a hole in the local brewing scene and Rancho’s adored Barrel District, to be sure, but likewise a bittersweet adieu to the makeshift music venue that owner and brewer Brian Palmer had curated there.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Using walkie-talkies, students clad in white space jumpsuits staffed the makeshift space shuttle — known as Endurance — in six-hour or eight-hour shifts, while others took part in mission control.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
-
The interdisciplinary approach brought the duke’s life and death to a stunning clarity — indicating how analyses can shed new light on age-old mysteries, even murders.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While earning a master's degree in exercise and coaching science at University College Dublin, she was introduced to CrossFit and discovered a new kind of challenge with its emphasis on versatility and constant adaptation.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The France midfielder signed from Lyon in the summer has been eased into his Premier League career after a two-month injury layoff, with Guardiola using him mostly as an impact substitute since returning to action in mid-October.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Private-sector sources, including the university’s sentiment survey, provide a partial substitute amid the blackout.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
They’re combined with a non-toxic, hypoallergenic down alternative filling, creating a plush and luxurious sleeping experience that’s designed for back, side, and stomach sleepers.—
Megan Schaltegger,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Saudi Arabia has a contract to host the event until 2029, but the Gulf nation hosting next year’s Asian Cup — which clashes with Spanish football’s scheduling of the tournament — has led to an alternative location in the Middle East being sought by the RFEF.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But by the time commissioners cast their final budget votes in September, the mayor and commission had rolled back most of the austerity measures with a mix of one-time revenues and other stopgap measures.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
To make matters worse, Kansas City’s QB stopgap Gardner Minshew hurt his knee in Sunday’s loss to the Titans.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
In an alternate timeline, Brad Marchand might be on the other side for Tuesday’s game between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Officials are encouraging drivers to use alternate routes.—
Zacharia Washington,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The officer directed both men to exit the SUV as his backup arrived.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Kispert has been a backup for the bulk of his five NBA seasons, all with Washington.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Newsom is certainly right that California is a great state and an economic engine unmatched by other states.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To address the problem, water managers many years ago lowered the levels, but the tree islands never recovered, leaving ghosts of islands that lack the elevation to support the majestic hardwoods found in other parts of the Everglades, such as cypress, pond apple and pop ash trees.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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