MAKESHIFT Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'makeshift' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of makeshift are expedient , resort , resource , shift , and stopgap . While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference. // old equipment employed as a makeshift

Q: When is 'expedient' a more appropriate choice than 'makeshift'?

The words expedient and makeshift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible. // a flimsy expedient

Q: How are the words 'resource' and 'resort' related as synonyms of 'makeshift'?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon. // exhausted all of their resources // a last resort

Q: Where would 'shift' be a reasonable alternative to 'makeshift'?

Although the words shift and makeshift have much in common, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient. // desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

Q: When could 'stopgap' be used to replace 'makeshift'?

The words stopgap and makeshift can be used in similar contexts, but stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure. // a new law intended only as a stopgap

makeshift 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of makeshift

as in new

taking the place of one that came before turned a towel into a makeshift skirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

makeshift

2 of 3

noun

ˈmāk-ˌshift

as in substitute

a temporary replacement when his belt broke, he was forced to use string as a makeshift

Synonyms & Similar Words

make shift

3 of 3

phrase

as in cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs They were able to make shift without borrowing money.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of makeshift are expedient, resort, resource, shift, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

When is expedient a more appropriate choice than makeshift?

The words expedient and makeshift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

How are the words resource and resort related as synonyms of makeshift?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources

a last resort

Where would shift be a reasonable alternative to makeshift?

Although the words shift and makeshift have much in common, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When could stopgap be used to replace makeshift?

The words stopgap and makeshift can be used in similar contexts, but 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 makeshift

Adjective

Parton died after a brief battle with cancer, with her death triggering an outpouring of grief, from fellow Hollywood stars to everyday fans who attended makeshift memorials. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 China builds access road for rescue crews On the Chinese side, rescue crews completed a makeshift road to the disaster site at Gyirong Port on the Nepal border, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 On the Chinese side, rescue crews completed a makeshift road to the disaster site at Gyirong Port on the Nepal border, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 The star has become a makeshift memorial in the days since Parton’s death, where fans have placed flowers, photos, candles, and other mementos. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 One of those made homeless, 39-year-old Ganga Maya Tamang, is now living in a makeshift shelter on higher ground. — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Local authorities would rope together timber logs for a makeshift bridge, but in the rainy season, the logs would grow slippery and floods would wash them away. — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026 These were once young men who would throw themselves into other young men while a guitar’s feedback roared from cheap speakers atop makeshift stages in basements or indoor skate parks. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 One day, Parton fashioned a makeshift microphone by putting a tobacco stick into the ground and placing a tin can on top, performing a show of her own. — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift

Adjective

Now is a great time to pick up a new pair of sneakers for fall while prices are low.

— Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
With the team entering a new era with a new coaching staff, Baltimore made some moves that were a bit atypical on roster cutdown day.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of new

Noun

With substitute Danny Imray, another new face at The Racecourse Ground, setting Ekomie up for his first goal in English football, Wrexham look well served in what has been a key area throughout Parkinson’s five years at the helm.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Somehow, this all dovetails with the fact that Davis and Friend were themselves substitutes for Greta Lee and Andrew Scott, who were cast as the leads when the film was announced in 2024.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of substitute

Phrase

Lee was a sharecropper who sometimes worked construction jobs to make ends meet, and Avie was a homemaker.

— Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Just as many people can’t afford to have someone else clean their homes, landscape their yards or nanny their kids, those struggling to make ends meet may need to lean on AI assistance.

— Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of make ends meet

Adjective

Most of the time, people come with their pre-existing views and biases, repeat them out loud, close their minds to alternative perspectives, and go home even more sure of their ways.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Another is by directing government funds to further diversify exports away from China to alternative markets.

— Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of alternative

Noun

So there’s at least enough time for the countries to find a stopgap solution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Grocery stores have been the primary place families went for food, while pantries, community kitchens, and other emergency food providers served as temporary stopgaps.

— Greg Silverman, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of stopgap

Phrase

Otherwise, make do like the rest of us and save your fire takes on eveningwear for posting about the Met Gala.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
The Roman Catholic High School football program is being forced to make do with no restrooms or running water at practice this summer.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of make do

Adjective

The Labor Department’s unemployment rate has been declining in recent months, reversing last year’s uptick, but an alternate measure tells a different story.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The quality of the animation is unparalleled, as is the care that went into creating its alternate version of 1940s Hollywood.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternate

Noun

There aren’t that many practice reps available during the season for one backup let alone two.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Since the late 1990s, taxpayers have been funding a program to stash extra Colorado River water underground, with the idea that it could be used as a backup in times of shortage.

— Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of backup

Browse Nearby Words

makes good (for)

makeshift

make shift

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of makeshift

adjective

noun

phrase

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