Definitions

make ends meet

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economize v.
get by v.
live v.
save v.
scrimp v.
skimp v.
stint v.
subsist v.

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.

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make ends meet

At the time, the real estate mogul was working as a messenger to make ends meet, and was making a delivery to the owner of an opulent Manhattan home.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

Others, like Dan Platt, a 64-year-old man who works three days a week in construction to make ends meet, definitely planned to vote for Republicans.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026

Six months ago, the 65-year-old doctor and former Venezuelan opposition lawmaker was caring for elderly people in Spain to make ends meet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

To make ends meet, he has turned to online resale.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

On the days when I wasn’t teaching, I also helped make ends meet as the director of the local United Service Organizations, or USO, assisting members of the military to find jobs and housing.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

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