make up (for)

verb

Definition of make up (for)next
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective the lavish present almost made up for her forgetting his birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for make up (for)
  1. offset
  2. correct
  3. neutralize
Verb
  • Still, the process is key for providing water to coastal and island communities and to help to offset droughts.
    — Monica Haider, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Energy efficiency and improved cooling remain important, but efficiency gains can be offset if total demand grows rapidly.
    — Bridget Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Definition of offset
Verb
  • Amazon confirmed in a post on X earlier today that the bills were a mistake and that users were not expected to take any action to correct the issue.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
  • This story has been corrected to show that three Houston Astros pitchers combined on a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on May 25, not four pitchers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of correct
Verb
  • Now my own messy, inconvenient story had been absorbed and neutralized.
    — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
  • Conceding only one goal in seven matches, their whole-team pressing and tight-marking strategy has suffocated opponents, notably neutralizing Kylian Mbappe in their 2-0 semi-final win over France.
    — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of neutralize
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.

Browse Nearby Words

makeup
make up (for)
makeups
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Cite this Entry

“Make up (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20up%20%28for%29. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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