the makings

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.

“We perhaps have the makings of a deal here,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

“This is all the makings of the most hated V-shaped rally again,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

We don’t see the makings of a lasting rally, but with sentiment and positioning this one-sided, the setup for a sharp countertrend bounce is hard to ignore.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

This has the makings of an instant classic.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

He had known they were getting sharp, but now he knew in no uncertain terms that he had the makings of something exceptional in his boat.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown