makeshift 1 of 3

Definition of makeshiftnext

makeshift

2 of 3

noun

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

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
And a couple took their time weaving through the makeshift garden. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Despite the internet shutdown, footage of many horrifying scenes began to emerge, including images of a makeshift morgue set up outside the Legal Medicine Organization (a state forensic institute) in Kahrizak, near Tehran, after the facility’s morgue overflowed with bodies. Hamid Kashani, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026 Now volunteers are looking to partner with the city to get more signs and possibly more plants in some areas to deter future makeshift trails. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 If two were unavailable at the same time, Carrick would have to find a makeshift alternative or turn to the academy. James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Andrew Wolfe at a makeshift memorial in Washington. Justin Goldman, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026 And after the Venezuela raid in early January, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was photographed at a makeshift command center in Mar-a-Lago. Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026 In a room on an office building’s first floor, Nambiar and Nishchay Shah stood at their makeshift kitchen, an arrangement of pans, butter and utensils on a plastic pull-out table. Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026 The iguanas featured in the makeshift blanket are cold-stunned lizards. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makeshift
Adjective
  • This work offers a new platform for designing efficient photo-electrocatalysts and advancing next-generation solar–electrochemical energy conversion systems.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase faced additional allegations of rigging pitches to benefit bettors in a new document filed on Thursday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Among the recovered materials, dysprosium, ytterbium, and erbium are considered high-value due to strong demand and limited substitutes, while yttrium and gadolinium are widely used in electronics, lighting, and healthcare.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The sweet side using natural flavors are the Rafaello crepe with coconut, Nutella and strawberries, while the Valentine’s crepe substitutes crème patissiere for the coconut.
    George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a growing demand for alternative trading partners, Ember’s report noted.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The funding round draws support from major alternative asset managers, signaling a shift in how the private sector views advanced nuclear deployment.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But the agreement provides just two weeks of stopgap funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The package, which passed the Senate 71-29, would complete funding for the government to the tune of more than $1 trillion — except DHS, which will carry on with a two-week stopgap bill as Democrats demand guardrails on immigration enforcement operations.
    David Hickey, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Tenants speaking to the town council Monday said JRK initially directed them to use their renter’s insurance to pay for alternate lodging; the company later agreed to pay those expenses after talking with town officials.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Those alternate itineraries also tend to be more expensive than those that sail through the Drake.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Look for services that advertise end-to-end or client-side encryption, such as Signal for messages, or Apple's Advanced Data Protection option for iCloud backups.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But the emergence of Luka Garza as a capable backup big man pushed Mazzulla away from smaller second units, and Minott fell behind fellow reserve wings Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Yakitori's menu also features several specialty items inspired by Chapman's soul food background, likely not found at other Japanese steakhouses.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
  • As for sales at Kering’s other brands, Saint Laurent was stable in Q4, marking another quarter of improvement, while Bottega Veneta was up 3%.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Makeshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makeshift. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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