MAKING UP Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

making up

verb

present participle of make up

as in comprising

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in devising

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 building

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"

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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 up The project is expected to set aside 40% of its units as affordable for those making up to 60% of the area median income under federal guidelines. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 She was later wrongfully accused of making up the allegations and fired, while Durrah maintained his employment with the department, Tillman claimed in her complaint. — Amber Gaudet updated August 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 Consumer payments and subscriptions remain the core of the business, contributing 85% to 90% of revenue across the forecast period, with subscriptions already making up 60% to 70% of viewer spend. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026 From female directors making up 18-19 percent of film production to more than 30 percent. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 Medicaid now covers families making up to 138% of the federal poverty level. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 25 June 2026 Congress has to keep making up the gap with general taxpayer funds. — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 28 May 2026 The timing of the hearing, coming less than three weeks before the primary election, throws a spotlight on the scandal just as voters are making up their minds. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026 So far this year through April 19, 29 of the city’s 201 shooting victims have been under 18 making up 14% of the victims, according to the NYPD. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for making up

Verb

The look by Jacquemus took on an elegant vibe, with black sheer fabric and detailed embroidery comprising a flowy, floor-length gown.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Silvester envisions his new Q-Class association eventually leading to a global racing circuit, comprising Victoria and Q7’s six remaining slots for new builds.

— Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of comprising

Verb

Now, researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have thwarted that tyranny even more profoundly, by devising an ultra-fast way to steer light, using light itself as the steering wheel.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
Now Iran’s hardline leadership is devising and promoting its own strategy for continued confrontation with Washington.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of devising

Verb

Mid-cap companies are also investing more in building new capacity, Nitin Bhasin, head of institutional equities at Ambit Capital, told CNBC.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Zag will sit down with Deadline at the Rendez-Vous to discuss the business, and his approach to building animation franchises and connecting with younger audiences.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of building

Verb

Asante draws a manufacturing analogy—with some exaggeration—arguing that previous nuclear power plants were built bespoke, akin to constructing an entire factory to produce a single car.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Mendoza, of the Philippine Tennis Association, told me that new public courts are being built around the country, and the government is constructing a new national tennis center.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of constructing

Verb

His great-great-grandfather, Antonio Cansino, was widely credited with inventing modern-day Spanish dance.

— Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Whether inventing the Bong-a-Tron or freeing themselves after hours trapped inside a Party City parking lot, these misadventures almost always hinge on weed.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of inventing

Verb

As that year’s freshman class president, Miles’ father, George, was instrumental in assembling some 600 freshmen to lug into place 300 tons of loose rock left over from the stadium excavation.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
On the provider side, the response is a person opening a portal, reading the denial reason, pulling the record and assembling an appeal by hand.

— Oleg Nesterov, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026