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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Recent Examples of figuring out
In an era when IP is king at the theatrical box office, particularly when it’s encroached upon by streaming, what’s the trick to figuring out if an original project can play to a mass audience or a Gen Z one?
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Part of that challenge was figuring out the prosthetics and costumes to make Taylor into a believable Santa.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
That fee structure, paired with figuring out the early wins of the Buy With Prime program, have seen Steve Madden working to figure out which of its products make sense to list via Buy With Prime.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
The news emphasizes each industry’s individual role in figuring out when and how to incorporate new technologies.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Part of that challenge was figuring out the prosthetics and costumes to make Taylor into a believable Santa.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
That fee structure, paired with figuring out the early wins of the Buy With Prime program, have seen Steve Madden working to figure out which of its products make sense to list via Buy With Prime.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
The news emphasizes each industry’s individual role in figuring out when and how to incorporate new technologies.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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Velasquez believes a less divisive post-Trump era will lead to more Republicans at the local, state, and federal levels, and a more balanced approach to solving issues.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
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These are solvable problems, but solving them consistently requires leadership and accountability.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But tensions between the factions and the two Gulf nations appear to be unraveling the coalition, threatening to throw them into outright conflict and further tear apart the Arab world’s poorest country.—
Ahmed Al-Haj,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
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Mary Bronstein’s film stars Rose Byrne as a Long Island mom unraveling while dealing with her daughter’s mysterious stomach ailment.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rho-alpha trains through a combination of physical robot demonstrations, simulated tasks, and large-scale visual question-answering data.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
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In a recent court filing, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson’s staff said a witness who claimed Tran coached her testimony in a 2016 murder trial in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars has apparently moved out of her apartment and is no longer answering prosecutors’ calls.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our tester, Alexandra, spends a lot of time swimming and working out, so a formula that tackles grease and sweat is paramount in her routine.—
Olivia Rose Rushing,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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Comeback season is also when the five really hone in on self-care, Yeji emphasizing sleep and working out and Chaeryeong fitting stretches into her rituals.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With 40% of adults resolving to drink less alcohol in 2026, according to a recent survey, some may be struggling to find a healthy balance.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Several Chelsea players are out of contract in the summer and focus will be on resolving those deals, with any big player acquisitions likely to take place in the summer.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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