Definitions

make ends meet

VERB

economize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conserve cut down scrimp

STRONG

manage retrench shepherd skimp stint

WEAK

be frugal be prudent be sparing cut back cut corners keep within means meet a budget pay one's way pinch pennies run tight ship stretch a dollar tighten one's belt

Antonyms

STRONG

spend

WEAK

squander throw away

VERB

get by

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cope get along get on prosper subsist thrive

WEAK

contrive do do well enough exist fare flourish make out muddle through shift succeed

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fail lose

VERB

live

Synonyms

STRONGEST

feed get along maintain

STRONG

fare profit subsist support

WEAK

acquire a livelihood earn a living earn money get by make it

Antonyms

WEAK

cease depart die not use

VERB

save

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collect conserve keep maintain manage spare store

STRONG

amass cache deposit gather hoard hold reserve retrench scrimp skimp squirrel stash stockpile treasure

WEAK

be frugal be thrifty cut corners feather nest hide away lay aside lay away pile up pinch pennies put by roll back salt away save for rainy day sock away stow away tighten belt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disperse give ignore neglect squander use waste

STRONG

distribute divide let go scatter spend

WEAK

endanger harm hurt leave open make vulnerable throw away

VERB

scrimp

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cut back skimp

STRONG

conserve curtail save

WEAK

be cheap be economical be frugal be prudent be sparing cut corners pinch pennies run a tight ship stretch a dollar tighten one's belt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

spend waste

STRONG

squander

VERB

skimp

Synonyms

STRONGEST

scrimp

STRONG

pinch save scamp scant scrape screw slight spare stint withhold

WEAK

be mean with be sparing cut corners pinch pennies roll back tighten one's belt

Antonyms

STRONG

release spend squander waste

VERB

stint

Synonyms

STRONGEST

scrimp

STRONG

begrudge confine define grudge limit penny-pinch pinch restrain save scrape spare squirrel stash withhold

WEAK

be frugal be parsimonious be sparing be stingy cut corners go easy on roll back save for rainy day skimp on sock away tighten belt

Antonyms

STRONG

free let go release squander waste

WEAK

spend

VERB

subsist

Synonyms

STRONGEST

get along get by scrape by

STRONG

be breathe continue endure exist last live manage move remain survive sustain

WEAK

barely exist eke out a living eke out an existence hang in hang on hang tough just make it make it remain alive ride out stay alive stick it out stick with it

Antonyms

STRONG

cease depart die discontinue halt stop

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.

Although he has often said she struggled to make ends meet, his father Olivier, also of Italian origin, ran a drinks distribution business and lived in the more affluent town of Montmorency.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

I am 72 years old and still working two jobs to make ends meet.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026

We meet the Pierces as Mildred is struggling to make ends meet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

To make ends meet, he held down a job working eight hours a day operating a laser machine in a factory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

They were out of the question as we struggled just to make ends meet.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

make ends meet

Example Sentences

Related Words