RESOURCE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of resource are expedient , makeshift , resort , shift , and stopgap . While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon. // exhausted all of their resources // a last resort

Q: When can 'expedient' be used instead of 'resource'?

The synonyms expedient and resource are sometimes interchangeable, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible. // a flimsy expedient

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

The meanings of makeshift and resource largely overlap; however, makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference. // old equipment employed as a makeshift

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

While in some cases nearly identical to resource , shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient. // desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

Q: When is 'stopgap' a more appropriate choice than 'resource'?

Although the words stopgap and resource have much in common, stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure. // a new law intended only as a stopgap

resource

noun

ˈrē-ˌsȯrs

Definition of resource next

as in opportunity

something that one uses to accomplish an end especially when the usual means is not available we used every possible resource to raise the funds needed to save our town's oldest house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in fund

resources plural available money do you have the resources to buy a new car or even a used car?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of resource are expedient, makeshift, resort, shift, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources

a last resort

When can expedient be used instead of resource?

The synonyms expedient and resource are sometimes interchangeable, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

When could makeshift be used to replace resource?

The meanings of makeshift and resource largely overlap; however, makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

Where would shift be a reasonable alternative to resource?

While in some cases nearly identical to resource, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When is stopgap a more appropriate choice than resource?

Although the words stopgap and resource have much in common, 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 resource Do Your Homework The North American Menopause Society has free online resources to educate people on the transition into menopause. —

Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 11 Feb. 2026 TeachRock’s time and resources were free to the state — its parent organization, The Rock and Soul Forever Foundation, funds its work — and the department employees who worked on it were already on the payroll. —

Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026 Members of Milwaukee County's Board of Supervisors are hosting an informational community event focused on safe and lawful protesting with a focus on protestor rights, safety considerations and legal resources. —

Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 11 Feb. 2026 The federation plans to deploy extensive resources to help Bass win her re-election. —

David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resource

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resource

Noun

Job seekers in health care may have been able to find work, while opportunities in other sectors were more limited.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Maryland’s future should not be defined by higher costs, bigger government and shrinking opportunity.

— Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of opportunity

Browse Nearby Words

resounds

resource

resourceful

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Style

“Resource.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resource. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of resource

noun

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