make ends meet

phrase

Definition of make ends meetnext
as in cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs The couple's income was just enough to make ends meet each month.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 make ends meet And while billionaires and millionaires are watching their bank accounts surge thanks to appreciating assets, others are scraping by to make ends meet. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 July 2026 As many Americans struggle to make ends meet, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has pledged to bring inflation back to its 2% target, Rachel Barber reports. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 July 2026 About 56% of all households in the county are struggling to make ends meet. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 Many middle-class families earn too much to qualify for government assistance but still struggle to make ends meet. — Kaysia Earley, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for make ends meet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make ends meet
make do
Phrase
  • The Orlando Pride will try to make do without Banda, currently leading the NWSL’s Golden Boot race.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • Free users must make do with resources from the Atlassian Service Collection community.
    — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of make do

Browse Nearby Words

make do
make ends meet
make eyes (at)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Make ends meet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20ends%20meet. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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