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Definitions

make-do

[meyk-doo] / ˈmeɪkˌdu /
ADJECTIVE
makeshift
Synonyms
STRONG
alternative expedient stopgap substitute temp throwaway
WEAK
Band-Aid hit-or-miss provisional quick-and-dirty slapdash
Antonyms
WEAK
complete finished permanent ready
ADJECTIVE
pro tem
Synonyms
WEAK
Band-Aid acting ad hoc ad interim alternate brief changeable ephemeral evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious fugitive impermanent interim limited makeshift momentary mortal overnight passing perishable pro tempore provisional provisory shifting short short-lived slapdash stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient transitory unfixed unstable volatile
ADJECTIVE
short-range
Synonyms
STRONGEST
tactical
WEAK
Band-Aid acting ad hoc ad interim alternate brief changeable ephemeral evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious fugitive impermanent interim limited makeshift momentary mortal overnight passing perishable pro tem pro tempore provisional provisory shifting short short-lived short-term slapdash stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient transitory unfixed unstable volatile
ADJECTIVE
short-term
Synonyms
STRONGEST
interim limited momentary
WEAK
Band-Aid acting ad hoc ad interim alternate brief changeable ephemeral evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious fugitive impermanent makeshift mortal overnight passing perishable pro tem pro tempore provisional provisory shifting short short-lived short-range slapdash stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient transitory unfixed unstable volatile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
permanent
ADJECTIVE
temporary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brief interim limited makeshift momentary provisional short-lived transitory
STRONG
acting alternate ephemeral fugitive impermanent mortal passing perishable shifting short stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient volatile
WEAK
Band-Aid ad hoc ad interim changeable evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious overnight pro tem pro tempore provisory slapdash unfixed unstable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
enduring lasting lengthy long-lived permanent
STRONG
long unabridged
NOUN
expediency
Synonyms
STRONGEST
practicality
STRONG
contrivance expedience expedient makeshift
VERB
fend for
Synonyms
WEAK
eke out existence look after make do make provision for provide for stay alive subsist support survive sustain
Antonyms
WEAK
ignore neglect
VERB
improvise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ad-lib brainstorm concoct contrive devise dream up invent throw together
STRONG
coin extemporize fake jam spark
WEAK
dash off do off top of head do offhand fake it improv improvisate made do speak off the cuff wing it
Antonyms
WEAK
design plan premeditate
VERB
manage
Synonyms
STRONG
cope endure fare last muddle shift stagger
WEAK
bear up carry on get along get on make do make out scrape by
Antonyms
WEAK
bumble fail mismanage
VERB
wing it
Synonyms
WEAK
ad-lib concoct devise do off the top of your head do offhand fake it improv invent make do make up play it by ear speak off the cuff throw together

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead, Ukrainians are showing the resilience and make-do attitude that have frustrated Moscow’s efforts to pummel them into submission.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

The fans will have to make-do with a short written statement.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

“Full Time” is canny enough to understand that many people’s make-do existences are ready-made for compassionate thriller-ization.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2023

The make-do attitude is common these days around Jackson.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2022

“Your make-do is better than the Ritz,” I said, helping myself to some more chicken and dumplings.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson