as in potential
the basic elements from which something can be developed
she has all the makings of an excellent leader, but she needs some experience first
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Recent Examples of makings
With Justin Jefferson drawing the opposition's top cover corner, Addison has the makings of a ridiculously favorable schedule.
—
Kc Joyner, New York Times, 15 May 2026
His status as a self-aware, hyper-online provocateur may not seem to suggest the makings of a bona fide filmmaker, but just wait.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Imagine all the makings of a fantastic cheeseburger in a casserole filling, before being topped with tater tots, bacon, and cheese.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
So, both these games have the makings of providing big viewership numbers on a holiday when most people are home.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Which has the makings of a pretty good Everglades chuckle.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
By all appearances, the title had all the makings of a hit doc, the kind of movie that garners serious buzz by word-of-mouth.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Still, Williams always had the makings to meet a baseline of physicality and finishing that he’s simply never reached in Chicago.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Guests can relax post-shower (or post-tub) in Guayabera robes custom-made by Dos Carolinas, and enjoy treats from the Ice Box, including local beer, farmers market provisions, and the makings for the world's best margarita.
—Diana Oates, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Kc Joyner, New York Times, 15 May 2026
His status as a self-aware, hyper-online provocateur may not seem to suggest the makings of a bona fide filmmaker, but just wait.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Imagine all the makings of a fantastic cheeseburger in a casserole filling, before being topped with tater tots, bacon, and cheese.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
So, both these games have the makings of providing big viewership numbers on a holiday when most people are home.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Which has the makings of a pretty good Everglades chuckle.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
By all appearances, the title had all the makings of a hit doc, the kind of movie that garners serious buzz by word-of-mouth.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Still, Williams always had the makings to meet a baseline of physicality and finishing that he’s simply never reached in Chicago.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Guests can relax post-shower (or post-tub) in Guayabera robes custom-made by Dos Carolinas, and enjoy treats from the Ice Box, including local beer, farmers market provisions, and the makings for the world's best margarita.
—Diana Oates, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for makings
Noun
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In fact, white clover flourishes best in full sun, says Watkins who sees the potential for clover to flourish in USDA Zones 6-9 and beyond year-round.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
The results suggest a broad surge in support for loosening restrictions on research into substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to probe their potential for medical use.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The Mets want to see better results with his stuff in the zone before giving him another start.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
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In fact, one of my chief complaints about some contemporary thrillers is the feeling that characters are required to do dumb stuff by the unseen hand of the author, just so more crazy twists can happen.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Israel prohibits many construction materials from entering Gaza, so the structure was created by welding sheets of metal together and painting them white.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
The search-warrant affidavit that allowed the FBI to seize election materials in Georgia in January—an extraordinary intervention by federal law enforcement—cited an analysis by Parikh.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Makings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makings. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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