makes out

present tense third-person singular of make out
1
2
3
4
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
  • Unlike other forms of stress, exercise stress is a good thing, because the body copes with it in a positive way.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Healing does not look the same for everyone, and the way each person copes with distress can vary greatly.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Dog Whisperer breaks down a simple method to make sure your pup knows where to go when nature calls.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
  • This year’s postseason run is all Yesavage knows at the big league level.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the finale, Brandis pretends not to see the million-dollar stash in Maeve's possession and zips the bag back up, looking up as birds sing.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
  • After encountering an old friend, Colette, embarrassed about her friend’s success compared to her own, pretends to be a customer at the DMV instead of an employee.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After the Christmas festivities conclude, Aruba’s attentions turn to Dande, a tradition whose name derives from the word for to wander in Papiamento, the Creole language that spans the ABC islands of the southern Caribbean.
    Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The revenue and profits Ford derives from its F-150 and the Super Duty pickups means Ford will do everything to keep those assembly lines moving, even if that means slowing the production of other vehicles.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s a lot of stuff in the ocean, and marine debris tends to aggregate in the same places as does the whale sharks’ primary prey.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe the bench does it more naturally, but the running didn’t stop when the starters were together.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Even if no one understands the movie reference, this is still a fun look for Halloween night.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Landau understands and supports not just Bruce’s vision but Bruce himself, which is how Nebraska, so bleak and bewitching, eventually emerges into the world.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Orpheus, unwilling to have anything to do with women again, chooses to become a swan in his next life, while a swan decides to become a man.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Lawmakers will receive a 48-hour notice if the speaker changes his mind and decides to bring them back to vote.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Everyone recognizes the problem, even if solutions are harder to come by.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The agreement also recognizes that borrowers who are eligible to have debts canceled in 2025 will not be forced to pay a tax penalty, due to changes in tax law, as a result of government processing delays and ongoing litigation.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Makes out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/makes%20out. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!