figures 1 of 2

Definition of figuresnext
plural of figure

figures

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of figure
1
2
as in estimates
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement let's figure the juice in the pan to be about a cup and just add it to the mix

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of figures
Noun
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor. Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026 The Mean Green’s best football season ever wasn’t even over before the major figures from that team left, or announced their intentions to bounce ASAP; when the season did end, moments after UNT defeated San Diego State to win the New Mexico Bowl, is when the great Denton flood began. Mac Engel january 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026 According to the latest consumer price index figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average prices for milk, butter and cheese are down. Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026 The organization and its arbitration-eligible players had faced a Thursday deadline for exchanging salary figures. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026 Between Davis and Nixon are any number of more minor figures whose crimes against the body politic were wiped away if they were ever acknowledged in the first place. Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 Pro-colonialist sentiment is surging among some prominent figures inside the White House and the broader MAGA political movement. Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026 There were six buyers in the mix for Undertone, sources told us, with A24 closing a deal for the film at mid-7 figures. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026 Thursday was the deadline for teams and players to exchange salary figures. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Saleh figures to be choosy about which jobs to pursue. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026 In the aftermath of Mamdani’s election success, progressive candidates are starting to emerge as primary challengers to more moderate Democrats in this year’s midterm elections, and the topic of Israel figures to play a role in those congressional races. Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026 Harbaugh figures to shoot to the top of the Giants' list after his abrupt dismissal by the Ravens on Tuesday. Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026 This is a clear under given the history between these two rivals and how this game figures to be played with the Ravens leaning on Derrick Henry and the Steelers without DK Metcalf. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026 What Campbell does with Morton figures to have a trickle-down effect on the offense, one way or another. Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026 Because chance events will remain just that — something the Chiefs have experienced from both extremes, but also something that figures to settle somewhere in between over time. Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026 Henry figures to have more balance on this season’s offense, which has received a boost with the addition of senior transfer Annabel Grentz, an all-section second-team selection from San Diego High School. Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025 Jesus figures to play for Brazil in the World Cup this summer. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figures
Noun
  • However, calculations on the fallout from atmospheric detonations forced scientists to rethink this.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The calculation for state coffers is 18% of the gross wagering revenue.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In this world, inflation isn’t a bug, but a feature of how the Fed chooses to balance the crisis.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Directors chooses three candidates from their district to create the 21-member cohort, who will learn about the local water system and the agency’s projects through webinars and tours of water infrastructure.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Finding solutions Glowiak Hilton’s office estimates about 90 public school districts in Illinois have mascots that portray Native Americans.
    Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The African Development Bank estimates that lending to agriculture accounts for less than 5% of loan portfolios in many African countries, as farmers are often seen as high-risk borrowers.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The Census Bureau calculates that since Newsom took office, new housing permits in California ranged from a high of 120,780 units in 2022 to a low of 101,546 last year.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
  • That calculates to $46 million a month in total statewide benefits.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Peter thinks he's won — Milo is home, the threat to his family is gone — but not so fast.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Grace thinks Pam is talking about herself, in the wake of her husband’s death.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Students at the school are not performing well either — only 13% and 7% of students met state standards in English language arts and math this year, respectively, with little to no growth over the past several years.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But as Luria puts it, the bear case for CoreWeave is simple math.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Major carriers are required to automatically rebook passengers whose flights are canceled at no charge — or refund the airfare if the passenger decides not to accept the new flight.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The story follows the complications that arise in female friendships when one of the characters decides to pose for a high school photography project.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • When a question is asked of the FLM, the trust model removes non-domain vocabulary, computes a latent space representation and measures how close this vector is to the knowledge anchors.
    Scott Zoldi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Once a possible collision is identified, CREAM automatically computes the best strategy to avoid danger – a job that normally requires a lot of human input.
    David Szondy August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figures. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on figures

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!