as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
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Recent Examples of figuring out
Blashill is tasked with figuring out his newcomers’ roles on the team.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Their final assignment in Advanced Placement Physics 2 should be figuring out the astronomical odds of how three best friends from the same volleyball team could be admitted to one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Co-owner Carolyn Nugent said her team is still figuring out where things go and how their work flows, but overall the upgrade has been just that.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
In addition to figuring out how to announce George’s birth, the press office was fielding hundreds of calls from journalists around the globe looking for information.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Part of the motivation was figuring out how to make something cinematic without having to raise millions of dollars to make a movie.
—Ivy Pochoda, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
For the packaging, the challenge was figuring out the best way to keep the Whopper in one piece.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
One of the hardest parts of the job is figuring out how to monetize your platform.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026
With three games remaining, Texas will have to find it from somewhere and that means figuring out how to get some stops.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Their final assignment in Advanced Placement Physics 2 should be figuring out the astronomical odds of how three best friends from the same volleyball team could be admitted to one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Co-owner Carolyn Nugent said her team is still figuring out where things go and how their work flows, but overall the upgrade has been just that.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
In addition to figuring out how to announce George’s birth, the press office was fielding hundreds of calls from journalists around the globe looking for information.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Part of the motivation was figuring out how to make something cinematic without having to raise millions of dollars to make a movie.
—Ivy Pochoda, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
For the packaging, the challenge was figuring out the best way to keep the Whopper in one piece.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
One of the hardest parts of the job is figuring out how to monetize your platform.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026
With three games remaining, Texas will have to find it from somewhere and that means figuring out how to get some stops.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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Miami-Dade cold case detectives say that this is just one of the cold cases they are dedicated to solving.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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From his perspective, this shift reflected a broader pattern in his work, moving toward industries where solving data challenges can have a meaningful operational impact.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Well, scientists are only now unraveling the true health benefits of the the tiny kiwi – with many properties more impressive than its larger cousins.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
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The netting appeared to be unraveling at her sleeves and hemline, giving the gown a slightly more undone aesthetic.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The longest games were the loudest, especially when the crowd tried to will Badosa back into it, but Jovic kept answering.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
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Floria juggles endless tasks, administering medication, updating charts, soothing patients, answering phones, and managing complaints.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gas prices continue to rise in Massachusetts and commuters are working out ways to cut back on spending.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Another way to cut down on decision fatigue while working out is to start with the same move, which creates another predictable routine.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The votes mark incremental progress toward resolving at least some of the vacancies that have fueled the dispute, particularly in Utah, where Holyoak’s interim status has become a flashpoint in the broader fight.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
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Behind the scenes, work toward resolving the standoff intensified Friday as White House border czar Tom Homan was set to meet for the second consecutive day with a bipartisan group of senators.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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