MAKES OUT Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

makes out

verb

present tense third-person singular of make out

as in copes

to meet one's day-to-day needs we're not rich, but we're making out all right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knows

to have a clear idea of I can't quite make out what she is trying to say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pretends

to take on a false or deceptive appearance he tried to make out that he didn't mind losing his job, but friends suspected he was desperately worried

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in derives

to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information as best as I can make out, the police were informed of the incident but didn't think it was worth investigating

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 makes out Even Fraser makes out with Rainbeau and Damo. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for makes out

Verb

Hollis buries herself in work in an attempt to escape her complicated grief, while aspiring filmmaker Caroline copes by making snarky remarks and bristling at her mom's efforts to connect.

— Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Gemini copes through logic and distraction, while Pisces feels everything at once.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026

Definition of copes

Verb

The show only pretends to be organized around romantic couples.

— Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
The sequence in which Carmy tries to talk Richie down from a panic attack feels equally dynamic and alive right to its conclusion — when Carmy pretends they’ve gotten locked in, just as Carmy once was, to mess with Richie’s head.

— Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Definition of pretends

Verb

The story, which largely unfolds within the confines of Mariana’s home, derives the brunt of its tension from the onscreen relationship between Milian and Strait.

— Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
Multiple characters — past and present — talk about how real political power derives from storytelling.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Definition of derives

Verb

Lacey hates this idea, but the group decides to go with showing mercy this time around.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
When design makes your information legible to an agent, data keeps it consistent everywhere the agent looks and policy decides what your own agent can do, your brand becomes reliable to deal with.

— Firdosh Tangri, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026