Synonyms of makeshift

makeshift 1 of 3

adjective

as in new

taking the place of one that came before

turned a towel into a makeshift skirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• new
• alternative
• alternate
• other
• substitute
• another
• second
• different
• extra
• substitutive
• separate
• improvised
• pinch
• successive
• spare
• equivalent
• utility
• jury

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• first
• original
• former
• same
• permanent
• identical
• equal
• lasting

makeshift

2 of 3

noun

ˈmāk-ˌshift 

as in substitute

a temporary replacement

when his belt broke, he was forced to use string as a makeshift

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• stopgap
• backup
• refuge
• expedient
• alternate
• stand-in
• recourse
• resort
• quick fix
• standby
• understudy

make shift

3 of 3

phrase

as in cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs

They were able to make shift without borrowing money.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cope
• do
• get on
• get by
• get along
• make out
• manage
• make ends meet
• make do
• survive
• shift
• fare
• carry on
• afford
• fend for oneself
• scrape (by or through)
• eke out
• last
• scrape (out)
• contrive
• scrounge
• squeeze
• wring
• swing
• wrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall short
• fail
• collapse
• flounder
• decline
• slump
• peter (out)
• wane
• fizzle
• give up

Synonym Chooser

How is the word makeshift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of makeshift are expedient, resort, resource, shift, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

When is expedient a more appropriate choice than makeshift?

The words expedient and makeshift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

How are the words resource and resort related as synonyms of makeshift?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources

a last resort

Where would shift be a reasonable alternative to makeshift?

Although the words shift and makeshift have much in common, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When could stopgap be used to replace makeshift?

The words stopgap and makeshift can be used in similar contexts, but stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of makeshift

Adjective

Marc Moore and his neighbors along the Long Beach Peninsula have spent night after recent night watching the water spill over makeshift sand berms and wood panels put up to try to hold the ocean’s force back. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 18 June 2026

Shortly after, cinematographer Pat Scola’s overhead view of a makeshift cemetery is a stunner. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

By the surge's end in April, thousands of metro residents had been detained, with most spending time in makeshift jail facilities inside Minneapolis' Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. —Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Even with a decently quick fire, shooting the flaming arrow with the makeshift bow with any aim was tough for former NFL player Wes. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 17 June 2026

The front has a dip that serves as a makeshift doorway, allowing her easy access without needing to lift her back legs too high. —Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

By the time reporters and cameras were escorted away from the fields, Pulisic was back in a makeshift gym area. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 17 June 2026

The defense attorney said Lawhead-Steele spent about four weeks in jail custody, forced to sleep on a makeshift bed on the floor because the jail cell was too crowded in South Carolina. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

During the breaks between matches, videos (including some that appeared to be possibly made with the help of AI) telling the history of America blasted through the makeshift arena, including one video narrated by Paramount’s own Cole Hauser, the star of Dutton Ranch. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026