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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
The show's runaway success and growing anticipation for the second season, which releases in December 2025, means revelers will surely be met with a sea of blue jumpsuits, ghoulish face paint and makeshift Pipboys this Halloween season for the second year in a row.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
While Billy Napier spoke at a makeshift podium after losing to Miami 26-7, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin stood in the back of the room.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And in Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard’s case, a nagging calf injury will likely mean more carries for backup Rico Dowdle.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Cubs’ dismissal of Ross, coinciding with their signing of Craig Counsell to a record five-year, $40 million contract, was a shocking, humiliating turn for the club’s former backup catcher, who was carried off the field by his teammates after the Cubs won the 2016 World Series.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On a whim, the 30-year-old applied for several school positions — from cafeteria worker to custodian — including one for a substitute bus driver, despite having zero experience behind the wheel of a bus.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The federal government officially entered a shutdown at midnight on Wednesday after congressional leaders were unable to reach a deal on a stopgap spending bill, leaving lawmakers grasping at straws over how to break the impasse.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Republican lawmakers have been pushing Democrats to pass a stopgap bill to temporarily fund the government until an agreement can be reached.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-do.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-do. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share