1
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
by putting our heads together, we were able to work out the problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to develop
to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort
worked out a compromise between the warring factions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to succeed
to turn out as planned or desired
our plans for a ski vacation just didn't work out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to figure
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
after working out the cost of a college education, we've decided that it's never too early to start saving
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 work out
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
At some point, a deal will likely be worked out.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Alcantar was getting worried last January when Gonzalez didn’t show up for winter workouts.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work out
Verb
That works out to roughly six marshmallow chicks for every person in the United States.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
At some point, a deal will likely be worked out.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
Last Friday, Mougey and Glenn had a private workout with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Alcantar was getting worried last January when Gonzalez didn’t show up for winter workouts.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work out
Verb
-
The case was solved years later through DNA evidence, along with the exhumation of the family dog, which prosecutors said Kovacich had kicked and beaten to death.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The cold case mystery was the first New York City murder solved using familial DNA, an innovative scientific technique that linked Martinez, 54, through DNA in his father’s criminal database.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Far more infants given Mead Johnson’s product developed a buildup of acid in the blood called metabolic acidosis than those fed Abbott’s product — 19 versus four, according to results published in the journal PharmacoEconomics.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, in May 1881, Wyandotte finally succeeded in annexing Riverview, and by 1886, the state government moved to allow further mergers.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Trump is widely expected to exact changes at CNN as well if Ellison succeeds in buying WBD, owner the cable channel.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Listeners have been trying to figure that out.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As the frantic final seconds unfolded, Huskies coach Dan Hurley figured a timeout would do little good.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The orders follow weeks of speculation about whether the 82nd Airborne Division would join the war, after its headquarters unit abruptly pulled out of a training exercise this month.—
Dan Lamothe,
Washington Post,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The exercise included multi-wave saturation attacks on enemy vessels attempting to evade detection by using nearby islands and reefs as cover.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In this week’s reader mailbag, Charlotte Observer reporter Alex Zietlow answers questions on the minds of Panthers fans.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Cloth coasters seemed to appear out of nowhere, and my questions about the hotel’s architecture, neighborhood, and wine lists were expertly answered.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Despite the struggle over taxes and their differing stances on public safety and Israel, Hochul and Mamdani have forged an alliance, finding common ground over expanding childcare and a need to build more housing.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Denver is forging ahead with more than 500 traffic-calming projects that reach into almost every corner of the city — a makeover costing nearly $1 billion meant to improve safety, walkability, and public transit.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Could a straighter road make cars go faster?—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
To meet his growing costs, Meraj had increased the price of a cup of tea from ten rupees to fifteen, a fifty-per-cent rise (in New York terms, like a cup of drip coffee going from just shy of four dollars to nearly six overnight).—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20out. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
