SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

stopgap

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of stopgap

a temporary replacement the coach we have now was only hired as a stopgap until someone with more experience is found Synonyms expedient, makeshiftRelated Words quick fix; recourse, refuge, resort; alternate, backup, standby, stand-in, substitute, understudy

Learn More about stopgap

Dictionary: Definition of stopgap Spanish Central: Translation of stopgap Nglish: Translation of stopgap for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stopgap for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up stopgap? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

torpedo

play

a weapon for destroying ships

Words at Play

alt-5926e94cc0e45

'Climate' Change

No denying this word's history

alt-5925b73b3a62e

'Author' is a Verb

Beyond the mere act of writing

alt-592708149cf54

Don't Catch 'Flack' for Using 'Flak'

How a word for antiaircraft guns came to refer to PR pro

Plural Words With Multiple Spellings

Multiple spellings for "multiple" words.

Ask the Editors

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

The Serial Comma

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

Winning Words from Scripps Spelling Bee Quiz

Can you outdo past winners of the Spelling Bee?

Take the quiz

peter-bruegel-tower-of-babel-painting

Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game