make-do
Get by resourcefully
Make-do describes something improvised or cobbled together from what's available, used when the ideal isn't at hand: a make-do repair with duct tape, make-do arrangements until the new furniture arrives.
The term carries a sense of resourcefulness born from necessity—not optimal, but workable.
Related to the verb phrase make do: We'll make do with what we have.
Improvise temporary repair
- cobbleWorn stone for paths
- kludgeAwkward but functional solution
- rigEquipment arrangement or vehicle
- contriveCreate through artifice
MacGyver · fashion · hack · scrounge · extemporize · ad-lib · tinker · bodge
Temporary substitute measure
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- surrogateOne acting for another
- ersatzArtificial and inferior substitute
backup · alternative · replacement · fill-in · proxy · pinch-hitter · understudy · temp
Sparing with resources
- thriftyPrudent with resources
- economicalUsing resources sparingly
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
inventive · clever · creative · adaptive · practical · shrewd · canny · enterprising
Provisional in-between phase
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- short-termOf limited duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- impermanentNot meant to last
holding · bridging · quick-and-dirty · rough · throwaway · disposable · jury-rigged · lash-up
Minimally sufficient quality
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- serviceableFit for purpose
- functionalAble to operate correctly
- sufficientMeeting minimum requirements
adequate · satisfactory · workable · decent · tolerable · bare-bones · basic · minimal
jury-rig
Improvise temporary repair
MacGyver · contrive · fashion · hack · scrounge · extemporize · ad-lib · tinker · bodge · lash-up
stopgap
Temporary substitute measure
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- surrogateOne acting for another
ersatz · backup · alternative · replacement · fill-in · proxy · pinch-hitter · understudy · temp · fallback
frugal
Sparing with resources
- thriftyPrudent with resources
- economicalUsing resources sparingly
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
ingenious · inventive · clever · creative · adaptive · practical · shrewd · canny · enterprising · self-reliant
interim
Provisional in-between phase
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- short-termOf limited duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
impermanent · holding · bridging · quick-and-dirty · rough · throwaway · disposable · jury-rigged · lash-up
passable
Minimally sufficient quality
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- serviceableFit for purpose
- functionalAble to operate correctly
sufficient · adequate · satisfactory · workable · decent · tolerable · bare-bones · basic · minimal · modest
make-dooptimal
Most desirable outcome
perfect · first-rate · ideal solution · top-notch · premium
make-doabundance
Ample supply, overflowing
plenty · surplus · well-equipped · bounty · purpose-built
make-dofirst choice
Most preferred option
deliberate choice · handpicked · selected · curated · bespoke