as in new
taking the place of one that came before
turned a towel into a makeshift skirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
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
-
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
-
This week’s episode — which had a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame theme — resulted in Danielle Fishel getting sent home, while Jen Affleck and former Taylor Swift backup dancer Jan Ravnik were eliminated the week before that.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Briny oysters are the star of this dish with little backup needed.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The research team underlined that the future work will explore other co-intercalants and optimize electrolytes for even wider temperature ranges.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That’s a significant contrast to other parts of the Forbidden City, marked by wide open spaces intended to represent the grandeur of imperial power and territory.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share