as in potential
often makings plural
the basic elements from which something can be developed
she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in producing
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
will you help me make the dough for the cookies?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in achieving
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
we finally made it!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
the cats made quite a disturbance when they knocked the Christmas tree over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in fulfilling
to carry through (as a process) to completion
one person from each department will be asked to make a short presentation at the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
made him do all the work while everyone else just lounged around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in estimating
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
I make that to be about six feet long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in constructing
to form by putting together parts or materials
make a model airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
the family made merry despite their financial worries
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in heading
to go on a specified course or in a certain direction
the baby made straight for the toy lying on the rug
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in enacting
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the legislature failed to make any new laws last session
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in earning
to receive as return for effort
I make considerably more money now than I did when I first started working here
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
what do you make of the latest information?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in shutting
chiefly dialect
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening
make the gate when ye leave
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 making
Katie Riley, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
The performance by this shy new star-in-the-making transcends nostalgia.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
With five factories worldwide making its aerospace coatings, Arkesteijn said 60% of its goods are produced in Waukegan.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for making
Noun
Blossom Kite Festival One of the most unique events of the National Cherry Blossom Festival is the Blossom Kite Festival on March 28, a soaring celebration for kite enthusiasts that includes live music, kite making, and kid-friendly activities on the grounds of the National Monument.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
The performance by this shy new star-in-the-making transcends nostalgia.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Former President Jay Hartzell established the university’s first housing endowment in late 2024 to fund scholarships aimed at making a UT education more affordable and creating more housing complexes for students.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
With five factories worldwide making its aerospace coatings, Arkesteijn said 60% of its goods are produced in Waukegan.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for making
Recent Examples of Synonyms for making
Noun
-
The finding has the potential to provide a longer runway to make the lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk, and could be used to better identify subjects who could benefit from participating in clinical trials seeking to prevent or treat neurodegenerative disease.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The system has progressed through multiple stages of technical evaluation and validation, demonstrating its potential for operational use in counter-UAV missions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the past year, public concern over immigration operations in Austin has kept residents on edge, producing recurring rumors of ICE enforcement surges and sparking ample protests.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But the shift away from traditional filmmaking started before the streaming giant began to eat the grand old studios’ lunch by producing its own films and shows in the 2010s.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The security of Jewish self-determination is interlinked and intertwined with achieving Palestinian self-determination.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Giddey last week surpassed Scottie Pippen with his 16th triple-double with the Bulls, achieving that milestone in only 110 games.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The shift risks creating uneven protections, as state offices lack the federal power to threaten schools with funding cuts.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The innovation enables an autonomous drone to record important operational and sensor data directly onto a blockchain during flight, creating a secure and tamper-resistant record of its activities.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order Friday establishing the first-ever Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, fulfilling a campaign promise.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Two years into their reign, the couple have started their first state trip to Australia at the Red Centre, a sacred place in the country, fulfilling a rite of passage that is already a classic in the iconography of royal families.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of forcing lasers to synchronize phases, the lantern simply merges their outputs efficiently.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The strikes on Chiyah were followed by more airstrikes on nearby areas, forcing Lebanese troops to close roads where al-Qard al-Hasan branches are located to ensure people's safety.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
None of these methods are particularly practical for estimating pi’s value.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
-
These vapes have surged in popularity, with the United Nations estimating at least 844 million of them were discarded by 2022 alone.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The military has spent close to $10 million over the last decade constructing a new base to relocate 5,000 Marines from Japan to Guam.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Sinomine Resource Group are also constructing lithium sulfate plants tied to their Zimbabwean mines, raising questions about whether the country is building an independent refining sector or simply deepening its role inside China’s battery ecosystem.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Making.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/making. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
