figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out
Synonyms of figure outnext

transitive verb

1
: discover, determine
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve, fathom
figure out a problem

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Although planning her trips now requires more research and flexibility, Nguyen continues to keep travel at the forefront when figuring out her annual budget. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 June 2026 Claudine Ebeid, The Atlantic’s executive producer for audio, said the company was focused on figuring out its YouTube strategy while also publishing more short-form video clips via snippets from its podcasts. Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 June 2026 But the technology is still in development, and the expertise and research needed to figure out how to harness and apply it costs a lot of money. P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026 The driver fled the scene to his home in Greenpoint, police say, but the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad figured out his name. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for figure out

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of figure out was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figure out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20out. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

figure out

verb
1
: find out, discover
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve
figure out a problem

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