work out

work out

verb

Definition of WORK OUT

1

to find an answer for through reasoning <by putting our heads together, we were able to work out the problem>

Synonyms answer, break, crack, dope (out), figure out, puzzle (out), resolve, riddle (out), unravel, unriddle, work, work out

Related Words conclude, decide, deduce, gather, infer, judge, reason; clear (up), iron out, straighten (out), unscramble, untangle, untie; assume, conjecture, divine, guess, presume, speculate; decipher, decode

2

to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort <worked out a compromise between the warring factions>

Synonyms carve (out), develop, forge, grind (out), thrash (out), work out, work up

Related Words churn out, crank out, turn out; cobble (together or up), throw up; compose, construct, craft, create, engineer, fabricate, fashion, form, frame, generate, manufacture, mint, model, shape, tailor; conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), devise, hatch, invent, originate; accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry out, effect

Near Antonyms demolish, destroy, dismantle, raze, tear down; ruin, undo, unmake, wreck

3

to turn out as planned or desired <our plans for a ski vacation just didn't work out>

Synonyms click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, work out

Related Words catch on; flourish, prosper, thrive; cook, percolate

Near Antonyms languish; flounder, struggle; decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane; crash, crater, crumble, flame out; choke, crack up, miscarry, misfire; fall down, go under; implode, self-destruct

Antonyms bomb, collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, wash out

4

to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations <after working out the cost of a college education, we've decided that it's never too early to start saving>

Synonyms cipher, compute, figure, reckon, work out

Related Words add up, average, sum, tally, total, totalize; add, divide, multiply, subtract; allow (for), deduct, factor (in or into or out), figure in; figure out, solve (for); count, itemize, number; calibrate, gauge (also gage), measure, scale; assess, appraise, estimate, evaluate, rate, value; recalculate, recompute, refigure