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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 The likelihood of children having long-term complications that require expensive or time-consuming medical care and resources increases; stress on parents, caregivers and local hospitals builds and, in the worst case, children die or become permanently disabled. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 One of those renewable resources is Arkansas Cypress Solar, a 600 megawatt solar photovoltaic array with a 350 megawatt battery energy storage system in Jefferson County that has not been formally announced by the company. Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025 Clear alignment saves CEOs time and resources. Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025 The senior leaders, rather than creating more reports and meetings about why things were going wrong, were now supporting the process with expertise and resources when and where they were needed. Nelson P. Repenning, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resource
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resource
Noun
  • For instance, when the Martins were broke, before Christy gained the attention of legendary boxing promoter Don King, Jim, played on screen in a terrifying performance by Ben Foster, would take her to motel rooms to spar with men who would pay for the opportunity.
    Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
  • More tackles and fouls will naturally occur in games where the team has less of the ball, with more opportunities to make those defensive actions.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This nonprofit consortium includes contributors from JPL, the same lab that spawned the OCO instruments, as well as Planet Labs, the California Air Resources Board, universities, and private investment funds.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • West Dundee will cover $450,000 of the $478,850 cost using money in its Spring Hill Mall Tax Increment Financing district fund.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resource.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resource. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on resource

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