sorted out; sorting out; sorts out
1
: to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking
I'm trying to sort out a way to do it.
2
: to find an answer or solution for (something)
He's still trying to sort out his problems.
We need to get these problems sorted out as soon as possible.
They couldn't come up with a solution and decided to wait to see whether problem sorted itself out.
3
: to solve the problems of (someone)
They're still trying to sort their son out.
I just need a little more time to sort myself out.
4
British, informal
: to deal in a forceful way with (someone who is causing problems)
I told my brother they were bullying me, and he promised to sort them out (for me).
British
: an activity in which someone makes a room, closet, etc., neat and organized
Let's have a sort-out of the attic.
Examples of sort out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Most every other national site still has Miami on the bubble, but that bubble has close to a dozen teams with a lot still to be sorted out during the final four weeks of the season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The Jays’ first order of business, even before Bichette negotiations and free-agent planning, is to sort out the franchise’s leadership group.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
As for his lodging, Andrew is set to relocate to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, according to the Telegraph, while his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who continued to live at Royal Lodge with Andrew even after their 1996 divorce, will need to sort out her own living arrangements.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sort out
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Phrasal verb
All eyes were on how the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies would sort out their differences on a range of topics from soybeans and fentanyl to rare earth minerals and high-end computer chips.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Most every other national site still has Miami on the bubble, but that bubble has close to a dozen teams with a lot still to be sorted out during the final four weeks of the season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The Jays’ first order of business, even before Bichette negotiations and free-agent planning, is to sort out the franchise’s leadership group.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
As for his lodging, Andrew is set to relocate to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, according to the Telegraph, while his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who continued to live at Royal Lodge with Andrew even after their 1996 divorce, will need to sort out her own living arrangements.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sort out
Cite this Entry
“Sort out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sort%20out. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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