Antonyms for make good


Grammar : Verb
Spell : good
Phonetic Transcription : gÊŠd


Definition of make good

Origin :
  • Old English macian "to make, form, construct, do; prepare, arrange, cause; behave, fare, transform," from West Germanic *makon "to fashion, fit" (cf. Old Saxon makon, Old Frisian makia "to build, make," Middle Dutch and Dutch maken, Old High German mahhon "to construct, make," German machen "to make"), from PIE *mag- "to knead, mix; to fashion, fit" (see macerate). If so, sense evolution perhaps is via prehistoric houses built of mud. Gradually replaced the main Old English word, gewyrcan (see work (v.)).
  • Meaning "to arrive at" (a place), first attested 1620s, originally was nautical. Formerly used in many places where specific verbs now are used, e.g. to make Latin (c.1500) "to write Latin compositions." This broader usage survives in some phrases, e.g. to make water "to urinate," to make a book "arrange a series of bets" (1828), make hay "to turn over mown grass to expose it to sun." Make the grade is 1912, perhaps from the notion of railway engines going up an incline.
  • Read the valuable suggestions in Dr. C.V. Mosby's book -- be prepared to surmount obstacles before you encounter them -- equipped with the power to "make the grade" in life's climb. [advertisement for "Making the Grade," December 1916]
  • But the phrase also was in use in a schoolwork context at the time. Make do "manage with what is available" is attested from 1867. Make time "go fast" is 1849; make tracks in this sense is from 1834. To make a federal case out of (something) popularized in 1959 movie "Anatomy of a Murder;" to make an offer (one) can't refuse is from Mario Puzo's 1969 novel "The Godfather." To make (one's) day is from 1909; menacing make my day is from 1971, popularized by Clint Eastwood in film "Sudden Impact" (1983). Related: Made; making.
  • As in justify : verb legitimize, substantiate
  • As in arrive : verb achieve recognition
  • As in prosper : verb be fortunate; succeed
  • As in realize : verb accomplish
  • As in recompense : verb pay back, make restitution
  • As in recoup : verb recover, make up for
  • As in recover : verb find again
  • As in rectify : verb correct a situation; make something right
  • As in redeem : verb recover possession
  • As in redeem : verb atone for; compensate
  • As in refund : verb return money; rebate
  • As in rehabilitate : verb renovate, adjust
  • As in repair : verb fix, restore
  • As in requite : verb compensate, give in return
  • As in satisfy : verb answer, persuade
  • As in satisfy : verb pay, compensate
  • As in succeed : verb attain good outcome
  • As in square away : verb settle a situation
  • As in restitute : verb refund
  • As in compensate : verb make restitution
  • As in complete : verb carry out action
  • As in confirm : verb ratify, validate, prove
  • As in cover : verb fill in for, compensate
  • As in get ahead : verb excel, succeed
  • As in implement : verb start, put into action
Example sentences :
  • Do this up to the limit of your capital and I will make good anything you lose.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I wonder if you wouldn't like to have me show you how to make good things for him?
  • Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden
  • "And it's better to make good what you say," broke in Linda, with equal heat.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • You needn't get into the dumps because you've failed to make good as a journalist.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • Until I came here I never realised it was in me to make good at anything.
  • Extract from : « The Fortune Hunter » by Louis Joseph Vance
  • The only way to get back to her was to make good with her father.
  • Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole
  • You've got the chance of your life right now to make good in your work and be happy.
  • Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole
  • A tea-spoonful of brandy in a cup of water will also make good eye-water, or a little simple rose water may supply the place.
  • Extract from : « The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, » by Mary Eaton
  • No, this is an empty house all right, but I'll make good and sure for your sake, Emily.
  • Extract from : « Thankful's Inheritance » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • It was not for me to be crying like a child for that which neither I nor any man could make good.
  • Extract from : « The House Under the Sea » by Sir Max Pemberton

Synonyms for make good

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019