MAKE ENDS MEET Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

make ends meet

phrase

Definition of make ends meet

as in cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs The couple's income was just enough to make ends meet each month.

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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 make ends meet In their ongoing quest to get younger and make ends meet under the salary cap, the Chiefs were left to reconcile the loss of two other starting defensive backs (Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook) who got paid big elsewhere. — Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Around the world, most caregivers are either uncompensated or inadequately compensated, and many rely on public assistance where available to make ends meet. — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Some children are quitting school and starting to work to help their families make ends meet. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Jinnifer Hicks, one of the mothers who attended the event, said raising children as a single parent can mean constantly balancing the needs of a family while trying to make ends meet. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make ends meet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for make ends meet

make do

Phrase

The Roman Catholic High School football program is being forced to make do with no restrooms or running water at practice this summer.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
No other compound can unlock as much energy—and any creature that goes without O2 has to make do with less.

— James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of make do

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make do

make ends meet

make eyes (at)

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“Make ends meet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20ends%20meet. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of make ends meet

phrase

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