make do 1 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of make-do
Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Despite its make-do simplicity, bulldog gravy is delicious when made with flavorful fat, such as from smoky bacon.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
The videos show more than a dozen people in a cramped, windowless room apparently wearing the clothes they were detained in and sleeping on make-do beds of aluminum blankets.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 July 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
Some were make-do solutions installed by IT and not documented, and others were put there by employees tired of waiting for more storage.
—ArsTechnica, 26 May 2025
While teasing the reader with questions about the child’s paternity, Lamont’s story of a make-do family revels in the often comically porous borders of faith, home, and adulthood.
—The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Many of its most successful innovations on the battlefield are the result of having to make-do, or turning to unconventional means to accomplish a mission.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 24 Feb. 2023
Phrase
Yet even this make-do meal felt extravagant.
—Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Despite its make-do simplicity, bulldog gravy is delicious when made with flavorful fat, such as from smoky bacon.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
The videos show more than a dozen people in a cramped, windowless room apparently wearing the clothes they were detained in and sleeping on make-do beds of aluminum blankets.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 July 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
Some were make-do solutions installed by IT and not documented, and others were put there by employees tired of waiting for more storage.
—ArsTechnica, 26 May 2025
While teasing the reader with questions about the child’s paternity, Lamont’s story of a make-do family revels in the often comically porous borders of faith, home, and adulthood.
—The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Many of its most successful innovations on the battlefield are the result of having to make-do, or turning to unconventional means to accomplish a mission.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 24 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-do
Adjective
-
Because many designs in the 1970s focused on open-concept designs, noise in the previous building could be distracting for classes, and teachers had made makeshift walls using bookshelves in an attempt to keep noise out, Bookhout said.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Young, though, was only hit twice in the first quarter, which was a credit to the makeshift offensive line group.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Cryer got some surprise help in the form of backup vocals when veteran teammate and longtime country music enthusiast Jimmy Butler took a mic and started singing next to him.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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One area Lue isn’t too concerned with is the second unit, where backup center Brook Lopez and power forward John Collins have forged a nearly indefensible tandem.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Georgia was attending college part time and working as a substitute grade-school teacher.—
Bob Cary,
Outdoor Life,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Last month, Mayor Cavalier Johnson's administration proposed a change to the city's vehicle registration through a substitute ordinance that would see the annual fee jump from $30 to $40.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Democrats are demanding the stopgap bill include an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits that are slated to expire at the end of the year.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
7 Oct. 2025
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In order to give themselves a stopgap solution while Irving is out, the Mavericks brought in veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell, a former All-Star, this summer.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-do.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-do. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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