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figuring out

verb

present participle of figure out
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 figuring out Of course, figuring out an email address isn’t particularly difficult. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 For a Miami business hiring its first employee in Bogota or Mexico City, that structure can remove most of the legal exposure that would otherwise come with figuring out a foreign country’s employment law from scratch. — Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026 That makes the research less like searching a catalog for the right material and more like figuring out the rules for building one. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 For Alexander Lee, back-to-school shopping used to mean hours spent comparing prices, reading reviews, and figuring out where to buy a growing list of supplies for his two kids. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 The biggest point of contention was figuring out what to pack for the plane. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026 Quarterback Did Notre Dame get any closer to figuring out its QB2? — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 In figuring out how to move past his breakout role, Stokes sought the advice of an expert on the matter — Dawson’s Creek alum Joshua Jackson. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 Her challenge now isn’t simply figuring out how to keep growing it, but how to keep it relevant as the American consumer who fueled the industry’s growth changes. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
  1. solving
  2. unraveling
  3. answering
  4. working out
  5. resolving
Verb
  • But turning every food in the kitchen into a protein delivery system isn’t solving the bigger gaps in most American diets.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Unveiling the Unknown Wanderer The key to solving the mystery of Betkouski’s identity turned out to be an actual key.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of solving
Verb
  • The episode became a turning point, unraveling diplomacy that had largely preserved the informal truce and halted Houthi attacks on Saudi territory.
    — Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Metalpoint is delicate by comparison with ink, almost weblike; but in both cases, the drawings are unraveling clusters and skeins, with passages both tight and loose.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of unraveling
Verb
  • Visitors may find winery owners and winemakers working directly with customers behind the tasting bar, answering questions about the wine and talking about farming.
    — Melissa May, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Since 2018, Hialeah’s libraries operated as their own independent city department, answering directly to the mayor and council rather than sitting under a larger agency.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of answering
Verb
  • This time, Miles Teller plays the father, an out-of-work engineer who is convinced by his ex-cop brother (Adam Driver) to go into business with a group of Russian importers working out of Gowanus.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Bodine is expected to work with the Rays through Sunday, then next week join a group of 25-30 minor-leaguers working out in Port Charlotte to be available if needed.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of working out
Verb
  • Over half of retailers surveyed said self-service solutions are resolving key customer pain points related to store navigation, product selection and price verification.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The statement was made as Plymouth County prosecutors weigh whether to retry Clancy, while her attorneys have also raised the prospect of resolving the case without a second jury trial.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolving

Browse Nearby Words

figuring on
figuring out
filament
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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