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
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
Well, Gomez ended up making out with him that very night, his Armani jacket draped casually over her shoulders.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the case, citing North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct that prohibit prosecutors from making out-of-court statements on pending cases.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
The subsequent episode—in which Sullivan, who had a serious boyfriend at home, is seen making out with one of the men—framed the incident as a simple case of infidelity.
—Judy Berman, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
In November, a judge rejected Nathan’s request to close off the courtroom and impose a gag order, which limits attorneys and investigators from making out-of-court statements about the case.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
As promoted, DJs Sophia Ziskin, Bea Hardy and Bryndon Cook had the room sweaty and dancing and, duh, making out.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 15 Feb. 2026
Jason then starts making out with Natalie.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Thinking about making out more and disco-ing all night long this year?
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Kennedy French, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Well, Gomez ended up making out with him that very night, his Armani jacket draped casually over her shoulders.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the case, citing North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct that prohibit prosecutors from making out-of-court statements on pending cases.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
The subsequent episode—in which Sullivan, who had a serious boyfriend at home, is seen making out with one of the men—framed the incident as a simple case of infidelity.
—Judy Berman, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
In November, a judge rejected Nathan’s request to close off the courtroom and impose a gag order, which limits attorneys and investigators from making out-of-court statements about the case.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
As promoted, DJs Sophia Ziskin, Bea Hardy and Bryndon Cook had the room sweaty and dancing and, duh, making out.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 15 Feb. 2026
Jason then starts making out with Natalie.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Thinking about making out more and disco-ing all night long this year?
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for making out
Verb
-
Job-hopping, or cycling through roles after short stints, has become one coping mechanism.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Crews often found release in rowdiness, camaraderie, practical jokes, and the inevitable coping mechanisms of drink and drugs.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Admitting not knowing much about Iran, Yan said her curiosity has only grown stronger since the war broke out.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
-
If Bain ends up available along with one of the top defensive backs, the depth of this edge rusher class could serve as a tiebreaker, knowing what’s available on Day 2.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the office a week later, Jones continued pacing back and forth in the warehouse, pretending to be in a war movie while Buckley was in the hallway, calling the police.—
Josh Owens,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Kingston police launched an investigation last week after the Silver Lake Regional High School employee, whose name was not released, was allegedly seen having conversations with a social media streamer pretending to be a young girl.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, a jury found Geisy Rodriguez Brito, 33, of Royal Palm Beach, guilty of human trafficking and unlawful use of a two-way communications device but not guilty of deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution or witness tampering.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The very legitimacy of deriving general principles from the particulars of experience can never be established from experience without already having the principle in hand.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even the Altitude Edition with the black wheels -- at the time no one was really doing that.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The authority on gardening in the South loved doing live shows and meeting his fans.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Government officials weren’t the only people interested in understanding Japanese Americans.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is not about rushing to share, but about understanding what’s true for you first.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If something feels off, pause, step away, and check the details before deciding.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, Canada canceled its popular annual showcase, after deciding that hostile policies made the risks not worth the rewards.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The study creates new criteria for deciphering old dice and allows archaeologists to further explore how games have evolved over time, researchers say.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Making out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/making%20out. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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