MAKING UP (FOR) Synonyms: 24 Similar Words

making up (for)

verb

present participle of make up (for)

as in offsetting

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective the lavish present almost made up for her forgetting his birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for making up (for)

Verb

Albesa said this was bolstered by fragrance and fashion, as well as makeup, more than offsetting a demanding on-year comparable.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Hydrogen produced along the way could generate electricity in a fuel cell or be sold, potentially offsetting some of that demand.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of offsetting

Verb

The summary also said the safety manager responsible for walking around the warehouse daily and correcting issues failed to notice the unguarded part of the shear machine.

— Myla S. Roundy, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Coach Karl Smesko said the Dream focused on correcting defensive breakdowns, rebounding and improving their offense after reviewing film.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of correcting

Verb

Antioxidants support health by neutralizing unstable molecules called free radicals that are produced in cells.

— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2026
That straining to comprehend the irrational fog of human emotions is the show’s explicit subject only clarifies the problem rather than neutralizing it.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of neutralizing

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.

Browse Nearby Words

making up

making up (for)

making use of

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Making up (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/making%20up%20%28for%29. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of making up (for)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes