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
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
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
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It hadn't been fired and had a scope attached to it in a makeshift manner using electrical tape.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The latest scramble completed, punctuating the next step in searching for a program-defining victory, Kelvin Durham took both hands and turned them into makeshift ear muffs while sauntering to the sideline.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Firefighters also continued construction on containment lines to use as backup if needed to the west of the fire along the Secata Ridge and up around the north edge of the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Generators help when the sky goes sideways Portable backup generators are the talk of modern storm tech prep.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The 30-year-old has gone from being fourth-choice goalkeeper at Wolves, making one substitute appearance in his two seasons at Molineux, to third-choice at Everton.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
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However, critics say just about anyone could claim to be a substitute caregiver under the legislation’s loose definition, thereby potentially endangering children rather than protecting them.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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House Republicans are proposing another stopgap measure that will maintain funding levels, but Democrats want a regular appropriations plan.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
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Over the last two offseasons under Stearns, the Mets mostly targeted short-term contracts with pitchers like Montas as stopgap options.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-do.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-do. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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