Definition of resourcenext
1
as in opportunity
something that one uses to accomplish an end especially when the usual means is not available we used every possible resource to raise the funds needed to save our town's oldest house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word resource different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of resource are expedient, makeshift, resort, shift, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources
a last resort

When can expedient be used instead of resource?

The synonyms expedient and resource are sometimes interchangeable, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

When could makeshift be used to replace resource?

The meanings of makeshift and resource largely overlap; however, makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

Where would shift be a reasonable alternative to resource?

While in some cases nearly identical to resource, shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When is stopgap a more appropriate choice than resource?

Although the words stopgap and resource have much in common, stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

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 resource At the same time, the scale of the war has stretched forensic resources thin, with nearly 100,000 Ukrainians missing or unidentified since 2014. Sara Huston, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026 Finding out the appropriate way to segment the market, determining the right segment to target, and positioning the company in the eyes of customers will enable a company to allocate its resources effectively. Ezgi Eyüboğlu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May 2026 Revenue-share payments come in addition to athletic scholarships, which cover tuition, housing, health resources and other benefits, and NIL contracts that athletes sign with third parties. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 May 2026 Green said pouring more money into the Texas Senate race will take resources away from other contentious races. Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for resource
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resource
Noun
  • But that had more to do with the score, an opportunity to get Dalton Rushing more at-bats, and getting Ohtani ready for his start on the mound Wednesday.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
  • After seeing his team squander chance after chance, Etowah’s Matthew Sharman wasn’t going to waste any opportunity to score.
    Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Getting warships into the water is hard enough without wasting funds on vessels unlikely ever to sail.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Wildfire resiliency advocates are warning that the loss of these funds will leave the state vulnerable to devastation, and are calling on California’s next governor to take that threat seriously.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Resource.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resource. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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