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

George describes residents taking in people who had lost their homes, workers restoring the water supply and the McAllister Hotel serving as a makeshift hospital. — Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 This all plays out with a lot of frequent jarring tonal mismatches, and some bafflingly overwrought dramatic beats, especially around Vision’s makeshift self-repair. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 There were makeshift projector screens all across the city, and fire escapes teemed with fans hanging on each play. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026 Cult members lived in makeshift homes of polythene sheeting and thatch that Mackenzie divided into areas with biblical names like Jerusalem and Judea. — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 The makeshift bomb kills the already dying whale, setting in motion the titular ecological phenomenon of a whalefall. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Outside Silver Rail Elementary on Saturday, four small crosses with hearts and handwritten messages were erected at a growing makeshift memorial for the victims. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 The photos show Leo standing up at the altar in green vestments celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel that has been set up for him. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 The photos show Leo standing up at the altar in green vestments celebrating Mass in a makeshift chapel that has been set up for him in Gemelli hospital. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift

Adjective

While Usher was off basking in the afterglow of Confessions, maturing into a divorcé in the mid-2000s, the R&B world was already priming itself for a new-school successor.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Many voters thank him for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of new

Noun

At times, Zukenee’s chameleonic range and ironic language can feel like a shrewd substitute for vulnerability.

— Narsimha Gour Chintaluri, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
America can point to tankers still transiting Hormuz, but shipping that depends on costly military protection and remains under threat is a poor substitute for normal trade.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of substitute

Phrase

To help make ends meet this season, the farm has turned its attention to other crops, including watermelon, sweet corn and pick-your-own pumpkins.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
But in February, the firefighters, many of whom worked second jobs to make ends meet, unionized.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of make ends meet

Adjective

This is where alternative funding solutions like invoice factoring and invoice financing may be able to better serve a business’s needs.

— Andrew Coon, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
China drew on strategic reserves, alternative pipeline imports, and fuel switching.

— Dr. Sarah Kapnick, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of alternative

Noun

Major home-review outlets have moved past one-off endorsements into extended, real-household testing, and the category now looks less like a stopgap and more like standard furniture infrastructure.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Thus far, the French government has offered stopgap measures, such as sending 3,000 substitute teachers into empty teaching posts around the country.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stopgap

Phrase

Especially once they’re pushed out of their family home and must make do in a cottage in Devonshire, Snell wanted to show how the girls borrow from each other, adapt odds and ends, and don’t always put outfits together to match.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
But the show more than makes do with the photography that comes to the fore in a long gallery featuring WPA work by Berenice Abbott and the photojournalist Weegee, as well as the younger street photographer Harvey Wang.

— J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of make do

Adjective

The central committee started its term in 2022 with more than 370 full and alternate members.

— KANIS LEUNG, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
That’s the fewest the Trojans have given up in a game since holding Michigan to 32 in their Big Ten debut, and in an alternate timeline, it might’ve been seen as a big moment for USC’s secondary.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of alternate

Noun

But that doesn’t tell the full story either, as Seattle has played part of the season with backup Drew Lock and hasn’t yet lost by more than three points.

— Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Although Chen Mechan is accused of firing on the Salvadoran’s vehicles, sources said its heavily armed men received backup from Joseph’s 400 Mawozo, which controls the neighboring territory.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of backup

Browse Nearby Words

makes good (for)

makeshift

make shift

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Style

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of makeshift

adjective

noun

phrase

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