The phrase "make up" has several different meanings, and here are the synonyms for each of these meanings:
1. When "make up" means "to form or constitute"
- Synonyms: Compose, comprise, constitute
- Explanation of "compose": "Compose" means to be the parts or elements that form a whole. It emphasizes the act of putting things together to create something. For example, "Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen." In this context, it's similar to "make up" as in "These elements make up the compound."
- Example: The committee is composed of representatives from different departments, just like different members make up the committee.
- Explanation of "comprise": "Comprise" also means to consist of or be made up of. The main difference from "compose" is the sentence structure. We usually say "A comprises B" instead of "B composes A". For example, "The United Kingdom comprises four countries." It's like saying these four countries make up the United Kingdom.
- Example: The book comprises ten chapters, meaning ten chapters make up the book.
- Explanation of "constitute": "Constitute" has a similar meaning to "compose" and "comprise". It implies that certain elements come together to form a particular entity. For example, "A group of dedicated volunteers constitutes the core of the organization." It shows that these volunteers make up the important part of the organization.
- Example: Five members constitute the decision - making body, similar to saying five members make up the decision - making body.
2. When "make up" means "to invent or fabricate (a story, excuse, etc.)"
- Synonyms: Invent, fabricate, concoct
- Explanation of "invent": "Invent" means to create or design something new, especially a story or an idea. When you invent an excuse, you are making it up from your imagination. For example, "He invented a wild story to cover his mistake." It's the same as saying he made up a story.
- Example: She invented a whole new world in her novel, just like she made up a fictional universe.
- Explanation of "fabricate": "Fabricate" implies the creation of something false, usually with an intention to deceive. It's a more negative - sounding word than "invent". For example, "The witness was accused of fabricating evidence." In the context of a story or an excuse, it's similar to making up something untrue.
- Example: He fabricated a complicated alibi, which is the same as making up an alibi.
- Explanation of "concoct": "Concoct" means to prepare or make up by combining various elements, especially in a somewhat secretive or devious way. When you concoct a story, you are creating it, often with a specific purpose. For example, "The politician concocted a plan to win the election, including making up some false promises."
- Example: The children concocted an elaborate tale about a monster in the basement, which is like they made up a spooky story.
3. When "make up" means "to apply cosmetics"
- Synonyms: Put on makeup, do one's makeup, apply cosmetics
- Explanation of "put on makeup": This is a very straightforward synonym. It simply means the act of using cosmetics on one's face. For example, "She put on makeup before going to the party." It's the same as saying she made up her face.
- Example: Every morning, she puts on makeup to look her best, just like she makes up her face every morning.
- Explanation of "do one's makeup": This phrase is also commonly used and has a similar meaning to "put on makeup". It emphasizes the process of applying makeup as an activity. For example, "She takes a long time to do her makeup." It implies that she spends time making up her face.
- Example: The actress spent an hour doing her makeup before the performance, which is the same as making up her face for the performance.
- Explanation of "apply cosmetics": This is a more formal way of saying the same thing. "Apply" means to put on or spread something, and "cosmetics" refers to makeup products. For example, "You should apply cosmetics carefully to achieve a natural look." It's equivalent to making up carefully.
- Example: The makeup artist applies cosmetics skillfully, making up the model's face beautifully.
4. When "make up" means "to compensate for or make good (a loss, deficiency, etc.)"
- Synonyms: Compensate for, make good, offset
- Explanation of "compensate for": "Compensate for" means to make up for a loss or disadvantage by providing something equivalent. For example, "His hard work compensated for his lack of experience." It's similar to saying his hard work made up for his inexperience.
- Example: The company offered a bonus to compensate for the employees' overtime, just like making up for their extra work.
- Explanation of "make good": "Make good" implies to fulfill a promise or to repair or replace something damaged or lost. In the context of making up for a deficiency, it means to correct or improve the situation. For example, "He promised to make good the damage he had caused." It's like he promised to make up for the damage.
- Example: The builder will make good the cracks in the wall, which is similar to making up for the defect in the wall.
- Explanation of "offset": "Offset" means to counterbalance or compensate for something. It's often used in a financial or a quantitative context. For example, "The gains from the new investment offset the losses from the old one." It's like the gains made up for the losses.
- Example: The tax deductions offset a part of his income tax, similar to making up for a portion of the tax he had to pay.
5. When "make up" means "to become reconciled after a quarrel"
- Synonyms: Reconcile, patch up, make peace
- Explanation of "reconcile": "Reconcile" means to restore friendly relations between people or groups who have had a disagreement. It's a more formal way of saying to make up after a quarrel. For example, "They tried to reconcile after their big argument." It's the same as trying to make up.
- Example: The couple went to counseling to reconcile, aiming to make up and save their relationship.
- Explanation of "patch up": "Patch up" implies a quick and perhaps not - so - deep reconciliation. It gives the image of mending a relationship in a somewhat hasty or temporary way. For example, "They patched up their differences and continued working together." It's similar to making up just enough to get along.
- Example: The two friends quickly patched up their quarrel and made up before the party.
- Explanation of "make peace": "Make peace" is a more general and straightforward way of saying to end a conflict or a quarrel and become friendly again. For example, "The two countries decided to make peace after years of war." In a personal context, it's the same as making up.
- Example: They finally made peace with each other and made up their differences after a long - standing feud.