as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed
she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first
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Recent Examples of makings
Big Brother 20 Season 20 has all the makings of what could have been an all-time great season.
—
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Combined with his 16% strikeout rate, which ranks as fifth-best in the South Atlantic League among qualified batters, Gonzales has shown all the makings of a hitter with significant upside.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
Combine those additions with talented returnees (quarterback Marcel Reed, wide receiver Mario Craver and defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe lead the way), and the Aggies have the makings of another solid team.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026
The foam filling is wrapped in durable outdoor fabric that has all the makings of polished upholstery.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
After all, this formula has all the makings of a hot-ticket item.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 22 May 2026
All the makings of an even more fabulous Southern woman, if that's possible.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
His status as a self-aware, hyper-online provocateur may not seem to suggest the makings of a bona fide filmmaker, but just wait.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
So, both these games have the makings of providing big viewership numbers on a holiday when most people are home.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Combined with his 16% strikeout rate, which ranks as fifth-best in the South Atlantic League among qualified batters, Gonzales has shown all the makings of a hitter with significant upside.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
Combine those additions with talented returnees (quarterback Marcel Reed, wide receiver Mario Craver and defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe lead the way), and the Aggies have the makings of another solid team.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026
The foam filling is wrapped in durable outdoor fabric that has all the makings of polished upholstery.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
After all, this formula has all the makings of a hot-ticket item.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 22 May 2026
All the makings of an even more fabulous Southern woman, if that's possible.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
His status as a self-aware, hyper-online provocateur may not seem to suggest the makings of a bona fide filmmaker, but just wait.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
So, both these games have the makings of providing big viewership numbers on a holiday when most people are home.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makings
Noun
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Investigators said the device had the potential to damage an aircraft and cause a loss of cabin pressure.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Steve Hilton has painted California as a state bursting with potential that has lost its way under Democratic leadership in his bid to be the state's first Republican governor in more than 15 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
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That's the stuff that fuels me, that's what keeps me up at night and excited for the next day.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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The contractor hasn't signed off on final stuff.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Ionic liquids are essentially salts that stay in liquid form even in the vacuum of space, which very few materials can do.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
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The movie is a straightforward and durable adaptation — Jolie’s electric performance won her an Oscar — but bringing the material to the stage has allowed a more fungible approach to the material, to both capture what happened to Kaysen and express what was flowing through her mind.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Makings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makings. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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