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
In their search for another option at center, the possibilities range from short-term stopgaps to potential long-term fits.
—
Jay King, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
At the moment, staffers at Mission Valley are relying on stopgaps like plugging a long extension cord into a nearby fire station for power.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
The 29-year-old Russell and even the 33-year-old Irving are stopgaps.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The agency did not answer questions about state-level stopgaps.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
The competing stopgaps had already failed to pass in five previous votes.
—Kevin Breuninger,erin Doherty, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Foreign systems such as the Rapier and Stinger continue to serve as stopgaps.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
Jay King, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
At the moment, staffers at Mission Valley are relying on stopgaps like plugging a long extension cord into a nearby fire station for power.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
The 29-year-old Russell and even the 33-year-old Irving are stopgaps.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The agency did not answer questions about state-level stopgaps.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
The competing stopgaps had already failed to pass in five previous votes.
—Kevin Breuninger,erin Doherty, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Foreign systems such as the Rapier and Stinger continue to serve as stopgaps.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stopgaps
substitutes
Noun
-
Milk, milk substitutes, plain bottled water, 100% juice, coffee, and drinks prepared at home are not considered soft drinks.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
When Edwards turned to his substitutes’ bench, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was the only senior attack-minded option at his disposal.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stopgaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stopgaps. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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