MAKES UP Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

makes up

verb

present tense third-person singular of make up

as in comprises

to be all the substance of the book is made up of 20 chapters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in devises

to create or think of by clever use of the imagination she keeps making up excuses as to why she hasn't yet finished the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in builds

to form by putting together parts or materials we'll have to make up the bookcase, which came in a box marked "some assembly required"

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 makes up Health insurance makes up almost a quarter of the benefits employers pay workers per hour. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026 Non-REM sleep makes up more of your sleep right after bedtime, and then REM becomes a higher proportion of sleep in the early morning hours. — Michael R. Nadorff, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 Colorado River water makes up 40% of the supplies Phoenix feeds to its customers. — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Dark matter makes up a little more than a quarter of the Universe. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Making memory foam breathe Cooling materials can only do so much if warm air remains trapped inside a mattress, so ventilation makes up another substantial part of the design. — New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026 Over the course of three decades, Tony pieced together the land that now makes up the sprawling compound. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026 Viewers shouldn’t look for the freewheeling commentary and opinion that makes up so much of online chatter. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Most defaults are in healthcare, but there are concerns this could spread to software, which makes up 20% of lending. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for makes up

Verb

This show, which comprises some 120 paintings, works on paper, and personal ephemera, at last acknowledges her place in the pantheon.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
The drama’s cast also comprises Massimiliano Balduzzi, Sebastien Halnaut and Cisky Capizzi.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of comprises

Verb

The British-American actress plays Hannah, a music student who devises a fake dating scheme with hockey star Garrett (Belmont Cameli) to catch the attention of her crush, Justin (Josh Heuston).

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Six men are eaten by the Cyclops before Odysseus devises a plan to escape from the cave they are trapped in.

— Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026

Definition of devises

Verb

Marie painstakingly builds the abbey into a regional power center to which notables must pay their respects.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
Consistency builds recognition; nuance builds relevance, because copy-and-paste is a function, not a go-to-market strategy.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of builds

Verb

Courts, regulators, creators and technology companies continue to grapple with when training constitutes permissible use, when licensing is required, and whether outputs can infringe on existing works.

— Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Arguments over what constitutes an employer plan are not new, and other organizations have tried offering such coverage.

— Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of constitutes

Verb

The new film continues the story of the conclusion of Holland’s third Spider-Man film, where Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) concocts a spell to make everyone forget Peter as a way to save the multiverse.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Driver’s character concocts a way for the duo to start an environmental business together as Russians, largely the mafia, are involved in recalibrating a canal in New York City.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 17 May 2026

Definition of concocts

Verb

The high degree of ship and combat automation makes the boat with its comprehensive systems and equipment easy to control in all situations.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
The center makes the protection calls, and often, zone runs cut vertically toward the center.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026