1
as in coping
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
2
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
I can't quite make out what she is trying to say
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pretending
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
4
as in deriving
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
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Recent Examples of making out
The two had an on-and-off relationship and were making out at the end of season nine.
—
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 June 2026
The finale concluded on an uncomfortable cliffhanger between Benny and Carmen, as the former walked in on the latter making out with his crush Miles (Rish Shah), leading to an unexpected confrontation in which Benny is accidentally outed to his sister.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 June 2026
In the finale, which aired earlier this month, they were caught on camera making out.
—Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
With commodities, when geopolitical tensions or inflation fears spike, investors often scramble for upside calls, making out-of-the-money options expensive relative to at-the-money options.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 May 2026
After a few minutes, your eyes gradually adjust, and the performers, the maybe-lovers, come into view, flesh on the ground, writhing and making out and embracing.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
That means skateboarding, sneaking beers, making out, looking for trouble, running from trouble and, to judge from the trailer, floating through space.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
There’s romance, there's tension, and somehow Johnson and Hathaway end up making out.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
By the end, the vibe had apparently gotten away from him slightly — a couple in the audience was making out.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 June 2026
The finale concluded on an uncomfortable cliffhanger between Benny and Carmen, as the former walked in on the latter making out with his crush Miles (Rish Shah), leading to an unexpected confrontation in which Benny is accidentally outed to his sister.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 June 2026
In the finale, which aired earlier this month, they were caught on camera making out.
—Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
With commodities, when geopolitical tensions or inflation fears spike, investors often scramble for upside calls, making out-of-the-money options expensive relative to at-the-money options.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 May 2026
After a few minutes, your eyes gradually adjust, and the performers, the maybe-lovers, come into view, flesh on the ground, writhing and making out and embracing.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
That means skateboarding, sneaking beers, making out, looking for trouble, running from trouble and, to judge from the trailer, floating through space.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
There’s romance, there's tension, and somehow Johnson and Hathaway end up making out.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
By the end, the vibe had apparently gotten away from him slightly — a couple in the audience was making out.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for making out
Verb
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Known for shows like Eastbound & Down and the Righteous Gemstones, McBride brings his comedic genius to this debut short story collection that tells the stories of men coping with life’s tragedies, both big and small.—
Caroline Reilly,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
There are several moments in the subsequent season devoted to different characters coping with her death, including the mobsters who orchestrated her demise.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
While there are lash-growth serums, lengthening mascaras, and even professional lash extensions, knowing when and how to use each of these methods is what will actually make a difference.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
17 June 2026
-
In the face of not knowing what AI will mean or become, our storytelling mind has jumped in to create answers where there are only questions, known in what is unknown.—
Nancy Colier,
Baltimore Sun,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The criminals then follow up by phone, pretending to be IT support and ask employees to join screen-sharing sessions or install remote-access software.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Just someone pretending to help.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Adoring the outcome means deriving joy from seeing the success of others.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
But deriving a unified theory of volcanism will require a geologic Manhattan Project.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
New York survived the scramble by controlling the glass and doing just enough at the free-throw line.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Several have interest in doing so now.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
One useful lens for understanding this landscape divides entities into five main groups based on their primary orientation toward creating value.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Much of the discussion tied back to the importance of giving Afghan immigrants the opportunity to become functioning members of their communities by getting jobs, creating businesses, becoming educated, learning English and understanding the country’s culture.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
What happens next could matter far more than either side is letting on.—
Mark Minevich,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
But if any such expansion plans are in the works, Goldman isn’t letting on.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The administration quickly faced several lawsuits, and the Supreme Court is deciding one of those cases right now.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
Congress’s most important job is deciding how federal money is spent.—
Jarrell Dillard,
Washington Post,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Making out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/making%20out. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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