make-do 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of make-donext
as in makeshift

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

make do

2 of 2

phrase

as in cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs She could make do just fine and didn't need anyone's help.

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 make-do
Adjective
Yet even this make-do meal felt extravagant. — Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025 The show has a punk rock, garage band, DIY, mix tape, basement, make-do sensibility, flowing from the band and album inspiring its title. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Phrase
The 2019 Speedster followed in a long line of roofless performers dating back to the earliest days of the company, but that machine made do with a cumbersome fabric top that took minutes to manually attach. — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026 Both spacecraft also carry instruments to measure the planet's magnetic field, offering simultaneous observations of different parts of the field to scientists who typically make do with data gathered from just one location at a time. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make-do
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-do
  1. makeshift
  2. make ends meet
  3. backup
  4. substitute
  5. stopgap
Adjective
  • The claims were made by four inmates who apparently inhabit the same unit as the Grammy-winner, including one who cooked for Combs on makeshift heating elements, offering up dishes like curry chicken, pizza and empanadas.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Not far away, armed men had been occupying makeshift barricades, blocking roads and turning some drivers away.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Phrase
  • Our focus is on operating a safe and reliable heating system, doing critical infrastructure work cost effectively, and helping customers make ends meet through energy-efficiency programs, budget-friendly billing plans and financial assistance.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Gerber said some of their friends were going through a difficult time, including one who was working at a Texas airport's bar trying to make ends meet for his family.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of make ends meet
Adjective
  • All of these factors are coming together to create a very dangerous threat landscape, and as a result, regulators are placing greater emphasis on backup integrity, business continuity and resilience.
    — David Bennett, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Your overflow of coffee table books,backup candles, and other living room miscellany can find a home in this sideboard that can anchor your entryway or moonlight as an entertainment console.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • The Sounders regained a two-goal advantage in the 83rd minute when substitute Paul Arriola used another assist from Rusnák and one from 20-year-old rookie Sebastian Gomez — his third — to score for the second time this season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Applicants will have to register with the secretary of state, document a threat within the past year and receive a substitute address that government agencies must generally accept.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Adjective
  • To bridge the property tax payout gap, the county recently awarded $191 million worth of stopgap loans to 32 villages, library and school districts.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • However, residents say their volunteerism is meant to be a stopgap measure.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of stopgap

Browse Nearby Words

make common cause
make-do
make do
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Make-do.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-do. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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