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as in opportunity
something that one uses to accomplish an end especially when the usual means is not available we used every possible resource to raise the funds needed to save our town's oldest house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of resource are expedient, makeshift, resort, shift, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources
a last resort

When can expedient be used instead of resource?

The synonyms expedient and resource are sometimes interchangeable, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

When could makeshift be used to replace resource?

The meanings of makeshift and resource largely overlap; however, makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

Where would shift be a reasonable alternative to resource?

While in some cases nearly identical to resource, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When is stopgap a more appropriate choice than resource?

Although the words stopgap and resource have much in common, stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

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 resource But he’s still been left without resources needed to fund critical research tasks, like lab work. Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025 Beyond awards contenders, the platform features Academy Museum programming, marquee events including the Governors Awards and Scientific and Technical Awards, Student Academy Awards, unconscious bias sessions, member conversations, panel discussions and additional resources for Academy members. Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025 Residents can monitor air quality conditions through resources like the MiAir Quality Index Dashboard and AirNow. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 31 July 2025 Also, strategically focus your manual review resources on customer-facing, legal or compliance-critical interactive PDFs, as these carry the greatest legal, financial and reputational risks. Ran Ronen, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for resource
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resource
Noun
  • Internal talent marketplaces promised a new era—matching employees to opportunities in real time, breaking down silos and reducing reliance on personal networks.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Being surrounded by all of this created both significant challenges and beautiful opportunities for those of us who grew up there.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • These communities were built from the ground up by people with little to no resources, often pooling funds, labor, and knowledge to establish thriving settlements.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
  • That, by the way, doesn’t mean these are bad funds—quite the contrary.
    Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resource.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resource. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on resource

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