as in makeshifts
a temporary replacement
the coach we have now was only hired as a stopgap until someone with more experience is found
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Recent Examples of stopgaps
If Congress does not pass funding legislation or temporary stopgaps, known as continuing resolutions, federal agencies must shut down or stop normal spending, according to the United States Office of Personnel Management.
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Senate Democrats have floated a procedural arrangement that would allow both measures—the Republican and Democratic stopgaps—to receive votes next week.
—Nik Popli, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Many residents who lose housing still have their cars — which can be essential to keeping a job — and the lots are meant to serve as stopgaps until more permanent places are found.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Foreign systems such as the Rapier and Stinger continue to serve as stopgaps.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
However, officials stress that these measures are stopgaps.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Senate Democrats have floated a procedural arrangement that would allow both measures—the Republican and Democratic stopgaps—to receive votes next week.
—Nik Popli, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Many residents who lose housing still have their cars — which can be essential to keeping a job — and the lots are meant to serve as stopgaps until more permanent places are found.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Foreign systems such as the Rapier and Stinger continue to serve as stopgaps.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
However, officials stress that these measures are stopgaps.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stopgaps
substitutes
Noun
-
He was overshadowed by the four other second-half substitutes introduced by Hurzeler at Stamford Bridge.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
For those who may not be able to find sweetsop locally, paw paw or guava make great substitutes.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stopgaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stopgaps. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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