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
But because scientists are still figuring out how most octopuses use those arms in the wild.
—
Berly McCoy, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
From basic enemy encounters and big boss fights to simply navigating its world and figuring out where to go next, it’s almost abrasively dedicated to testing the player’s patience.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Acting is such an exercise in using your body, figuring out what’s working, figuring out what’s not, trying things, not being afraid to try things, taking notes, playing off other people, learning from other people.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Many are researching and figuring out their future needs.
—Nitin Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Institute for Coaching Innovation is convinced that the answer is figuring out how to use the productivity of AI and your human touch without having to make a choice between them.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Babcock and directors Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang wanted to start figuring out the demonic voices for the evil boy band Saja Boys and for how HUNTR/X lead singer Rumi (Arden Cho) would express herself in moments of stress.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Durant's postseason experience should only help a young team still figuring out how to succeed on the biggest stage.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
There are many reasons to love summer beauty, but figuring out how to keep sunscreen out of your eyes is not one of them.
—Cheryl Wagemann, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
Berly McCoy, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
From basic enemy encounters and big boss fights to simply navigating its world and figuring out where to go next, it’s almost abrasively dedicated to testing the player’s patience.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Acting is such an exercise in using your body, figuring out what’s working, figuring out what’s not, trying things, not being afraid to try things, taking notes, playing off other people, learning from other people.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Many are researching and figuring out their future needs.
—Nitin Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Institute for Coaching Innovation is convinced that the answer is figuring out how to use the productivity of AI and your human touch without having to make a choice between them.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Babcock and directors Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang wanted to start figuring out the demonic voices for the evil boy band Saja Boys and for how HUNTR/X lead singer Rumi (Arden Cho) would express herself in moments of stress.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Durant's postseason experience should only help a young team still figuring out how to succeed on the biggest stage.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
There are many reasons to love summer beauty, but figuring out how to keep sunscreen out of your eyes is not one of them.
—Cheryl Wagemann, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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Texas law enforcement is asking for Colorado’s help solving the 1984 cold case murder of a 25-year-old woman.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
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Castlery’s brand promise is focused on solving real-life problems.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stuck on the final chapter, with no inspiration in sight, Lorena’s life begins to mirror the unraveling universe around her.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Researchers have suggested the medicine might occasionally exacerbate factors associated with autism, such as genetics and oxidative stress, a biological condition that occurs for a variety of reasons that scientists are still unraveling.—
Amy Maxmen,
ABC News,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The schools competing for this prize are answering yes.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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She's been documenting her experiences on social media (@yourmetastaticbestie on Instagram), sharing videos discussing everything from diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, and answering questions.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So, what’s a burgeoning fitness girl to do with her hair when working out several days a week?—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Research shows that new experiences—like stepping outside and encountering a new environment while working out—trigger the brain's reward system.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Operational Resilience Through Self-Healing Architecture APA systems demonstrate high resilience rates by automatically diagnosing and resolving process disruptions that would traditionally halt operations.—
Uli Erxleben,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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From accompanying staff to the doctor after an accident to personally resolving customer concerns, Lynn’s leadership style is built on presence and care.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 25 Sep. 2025.
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