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

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
At the event Saturday, some attendees quietly sipped coffee in anticipation, while others grabbed a friend, significant other and hit a makeshift dance floor next to the order line. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026 All the chickens, turkeys, goats, and pigs carry a certain odor, their makeshift habitat a distinct unsightliness, which disagree with Bruce and his husband Darrell’s more regal tastes. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026 Some are forced to use their headscarf as a makeshift pad. Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026 In an art gallery in Long Beach, a makeshift coffee shop roars in the corner. Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Neighbors chuckled — and filmed — as Jim sprinted behind Connor’s kart, holding the rope as a makeshift safety wire. Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Stills from videos recorded inside the home showed a makeshift classroom where toddlers sat in rows at tables facing a whiteboard. Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 Toñita herself made a cameo behind its makeshift bar. Tess Garcia, Architectural Digest, 9 Feb. 2026 When animals dug up some of the plants outside his home, Carney converted some old bathtubs into makeshift planters and dotted them around his property. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
  • This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase faced additional allegations of rigging pitches to benefit bettors in a new document filed on Thursday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Among the recovered materials, dysprosium, ytterbium, and erbium are considered high-value due to strong demand and limited substitutes, while yttrium and gadolinium are widely used in electronics, lighting, and healthcare.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The sweet side using natural flavors are the Rafaello crepe with coconut, Nutella and strawberries, while the Valentine’s crepe substitutes crème patissiere for the coconut.
    George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a growing demand for alternative trading partners, Ember’s report noted.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The funding round draws support from major alternative asset managers, signaling a shift in how the private sector views advanced nuclear deployment.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Senate Democrats Thursday blocked a Republican stopgap spending plan that would have extended funding without any reforms, setting the stage for a shutdown at midnight Saturday.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • If the Panthers sign a stopgap tackle in free agency, Crownover could be worth drafting as the future successor to Ekwonu or Taylor Moton.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For months, projects on some of the metro area's major highways and thoroughfares, including Interstates 64 and 265 and surface streets like Brownsboro Road, have forced drivers to find alternate routes and deal with longer travel times as construction has snarled traffic across town and beyond.
    Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Drivers were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
    Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Look for services that advertise end-to-end or client-side encryption, such as Signal for messages, or Apple's Advanced Data Protection option for iCloud backups.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But the emergence of Luka Garza as a capable backup big man pushed Mazzulla away from smaller second units, and Minott fell behind fellow reserve wings Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Acclaimed Black music artists like Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn and Cab Calloway stopped at Dooky Chase's post-performance, unable to patronize other establishments.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
  • While 657 classified positions have been identified for closure, the district spokesperson said the final number of layoffs has not yet been determined and is expected to be lower due to retirements and other personnel moves.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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