makeshift 1 of 3

Definition of makeshiftnext

makeshift

2 of 3

noun

as in substitute
a temporary replacement when his belt broke, he was forced to use string as a makeshift

Synonyms & Similar Words

make shift

3 of 3

phrase

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of makeshift
Adjective
While outreach workers will be hitting homeless encampments throughout the city, encouraging people to go to shelters during the storm, the city will not be tearing down the makeshift shanties the homeless have built before Sunday’s storm, Mamdani said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026 Across California, the number of people living in vehicles has surged in recent years, as soaring rents and a chronic housing shortage have pushed even full-time workers out of traditional homes and into makeshift ones on wheels. Jeffrey Kopp,kate Rogers, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026 Six of the skiers huddled in a makeshift shelter constructed with tarpaulin sheets. Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026 Mamdani’s predecessor, Eric Adams, touted sweeps of makeshift encampments as a centerpiece of his efforts to restore order to the city. Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026 Mamdani’s predecessor, Eric Adams, touted sweeps of makeshift encampments as a centerpiece of his efforts to restore order to the city. ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026 The Colorado Rockies have been swept away by curling fever, feeling the Olympic spirit with their very own makeshift game during spring training — though some of their sweeping leaves a lot to be desired! Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026 Shooting witness visits memorial On Monday, Raymond Banks walked up to a makeshift memorial in front of the nightclub in Kansas City’s Westside. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026 With Conor Bradley out for the season and Wataru Endo — another makeshift option — facing a lengthy period on the sidelines, Slot has been forced into many defensive changes. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
  • Tottenham have been awful at home this season, but with the ‘new-manager bounce’ and also the derby energy, the game might be less one-sided than people expect.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • She’ll be given new clothes, Dana assures her.
    Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Station reserves the right to substitute prize of comparable value.
    CBS LA Staff, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The city called in more than 5,000 substitutes Philadelphia switched to online learning Monday and Tuesday, while districts on Long Island and elsewhere in the New York suburbs canceled school again Tuesday.
    Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Many working families need alternative hours that only private childcare providers can offer.
    CalMatters, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Large alternative asset managers such as Apollo Global Management and TPG have also unveiled sports units.
    Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The agency shut down early Saturday morning after two weeks of stopgap funding ran out.
    Garrett Downs,Justin Papp, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Senate Democrats Thursday blocked a Republican stopgap spending plan that would have extended funding without any reforms, setting the stage for a shutdown at midnight Saturday.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • If a friend cancels or a team changes venues, respond with alternate options rather than vague guilt.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Members who have alternate plans will still wear white, according to a spokesperson for the group.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Fixing those backups is expensive, and sometimes clogging can cause sewage overflows into streets, yards, rivers and lakes.
    Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The idea of bringing in Dalton as a mentor and backup to Young was sound, but appears to have run its course.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Since first taking place in the 1940s, cloud seeding experiments have raised concern over potential environmental and ecological risks and stoked regional security tensions, with countries accusing each other of stealing rain.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The committee approved the East Village Green item 3-0 as part of the consent agenda, meaning it was considered routine and grouped alongside other items for approval with minimal discussion.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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